Citation

Brent DA, Kolko DJ, Allan MJ, Brown RV. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry 1990; 29(4): 586-593.

Affiliation

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2387793

Abstract

Forty-two suicidal and 14 nonsuicidal affectively ill adolescent psychiatric inpatients were compared with respect to clinical phenomenology and measures of cognitive distortion, social skills, and familial-environmental stress. The suicidal group had an earlier onset and longer duration of affective illness and greater self-rated depression. The suicidal group also evinced greater cognitive distortion, less assertiveness, a greater likelihood of both a history and exposure to familial suicidality, and more life stressors within the 12 months prior to hospitalization. Among those suicidal patients who presented with a suicide attempt, suicidal intent was related to "double depression," comorbidity with substance abuse or conduct disorder, lack of assertiveness, family conflict, and family history of suicidal behavior. Early identification and treatment of affectively ill youth that target the above-noted domains may prevent much of the associated morbidity and mortality due to suicidality.

Language: en