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Caregiver-reported psychological and behavioural functioning of children with suicidal thoughts and behaviour: A
Ellen Bartolini1, Rick Ostrander1, Carisa Parrish1
1The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Insights
Children with suicidal thoughts and behavior (STB) admitted to psychiatric units show significant emotional and behavioral issues. These children are more likely to be female, older, and have a history of abuse or self-injury, requiring targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Pediatric Psychology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Suicidal ideation and attempts in children under 12 are a critical concern.
- Understanding the characteristics of these children is vital for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically understand the emotional and behavioral functioning of children (12 and under) admitted to inpatient psychiatric units for suicidal ideation or attempts.
- To compare these children with peers without suicidal thoughts and behavior (STB).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 573 inpatients aged 12 and under.
- Groups included: suicidal ideation without attempt (n=155), suicide attempt (n=37), and controls (n=381).
- Comparison of demographics, caregiver-reported functioning, and discharge diagnoses.
Main Results:
- Children with STB exhibited clinically significant externalizing and internalizing symptoms.
- STB group was more likely to be female, older, have a history of sexual abuse and non-suicidal self-injury.
- Depressive disorder was a more frequent diagnosis in the STB group.
Conclusions:
- Children with STB admitted to inpatient psychiatric units differ significantly from their peers.
- These differences are evident in demographics, symptoms, and diagnoses.
- Findings aid in identifying risk factors, informing treatment, and guiding future research on pediatric STB.
Objective:
This exploratory project aims to provide an empirical understanding of the caregiver-reported emotional and behavioural functioning of children 12 and under who present to an inpatient psychiatric unit with suicidal ideation and/or attempts.
Method:
A retrospective chart review was conducted, including all patients (n = 573) aged 12 and under admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit between September 2011-December 2015 for suicidal ideation without proximal attempt (n = 155) or a suicide attempt (n = 37). Inpatients without suicidal thoughts and behaviour in the same age range (n = 381) served as a control group. The three groups were compared on a range of variables, including patient history/demographics, caregiver-reported emotional/behavioural functioning, and discharge diagnoses.
Results:
Children who were admitted to a psychiatric inpatient unit following suicide attempts and/or ideation demonstrated clinically significant levels of externalizing and internalizing symptoms. Children with suicidal thoughts and behaviour (STB) were more likely to be female and older than their peers without STB, more likely to report a history of sexual abuse and non-suicidal self-injury, and to be diagnosed with a depressive disorder.
Conclusions:
Children with STB differ demographically, symptomatically, and diagnostically from their peers without STB with comparable levels of psychiatric impairment (i.e., necessitating inpatient admission). Results provide provisional information on this concerning group of children, which can be used to aid identification of risk factors, inform treatment, and stimulate future work.
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