Short-term precipitants of parasuicide in adolescents

Despite extensive research, our knowledge about adolescent parasuicide, why its incidence is currently so high and how to predict it remains incomplete. In the past research often focused on aetiological factors and long-range prediction. In this article short-term aetiological variables relating to both immediate precipitants and psychiatric diagnoses in a sample of 159 adolescents who attempted suicide are explored. The findings should contribute to a clearer understanding of the build-up to the parasuicidal crisis, the consequent level of disturbance and its treatment.