Citation

Lee S, Dwyer J, Paul E, Clarke D, Treleaven S, Roseby R. Aust. N. Zeal. J. Public Health 2019; 43(3): 248-253.

Affiliation

Department of Paediatrics, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Victoria.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Public Health Association of Australia, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1753-6405.12877

PMID

30786107

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare demographic and psychosocial characteristics of completed suicide between younger and older adolescents, and by sex.

METHODS: Data was collected from the Victorian Suicide Register, which contains information on suicides reported to the Coroners Court of Victoria.

RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2015, there were 273 completed suicides aged 10-19 years, with none aged 10-12 years. There were 171 (63%) suicides in the older adolescent group (17-19 years), and 102 (37%) in the younger group (13-16 years). Males comprised 184 cases (67%) and females 89 (33%). A higher proportion of both younger and female adolescents had experienced abuse, peer conflict and bullying. There was also a higher incidence of previous self-harm in younger and female adolescents. Older adolescents were more likely to not be in formal education, employment or training.

CONCLUSION: Suicide in younger adolescents and females appear to share characteristics, and differ from older and male adolescents. Negative interpersonal relationships and previous self-harm with possible co-existenting mental illness appear to be key differentiating features. Implications for public health: Understanding completed suicide is an important step towards prevention, and our results suggest a need for developmentally and sex-specific suicide prevention strategies.

© 2019 The Authors.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; mental health; paediatrics; suicide; youth