Continued self-destructive behaviors in adolescent suicide attemptors: part I

Adolescent suicide has become an increasingly important problem in today's society. In an effort to understand the precipitating factors in adolescent suicide attempts and the professional response to the adolescent attempting suicide, a comprehensive review was undertaken at the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA). A total of 232 subjects admitted to CHLA from January 1972 through July 1978 were included in a retrospective chart analysis. Data on adolescents who had attempted suicide were extracted from their medical records and compared with those of matched groups of adolescents admitted for reasons other than suicide attempt. Comparisons were made of demographic data, family background, hospital admissions, and professional involvement. Our findings confirmed that most attemptors are female midadolescents and are likely to use drugs in the attempt. In addition, our results underscored the importance of the family with respect to the precipitation of an adolescent suicide attempt and the subsequent treatment approach.