Citation

Suresh Kumar PN, Anish PK. J. Indian Med. Assoc. 2020; 118(1): 25-29.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Indian Medical Association)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

Indian studies have suggested that the suicides and suicidal behaviours are higher in younger age groups. Studies comparing the soclo-demographlcal and clinical variables between various age groups in relation to suicidal behavours are required to tailor specific interventions lor the early age groups. Hence this study was conducted to analyse soclo-demographic and clinical variables of adolescent suicide attempters and to compare certain potential risk factors between adolescent and adult suicide attempters. Socio-demographic and clinical variables of 199 adolescents versus 960 adult attempters were compared using a specially designed questionnaire to find out the potential risk factors in adolescents. Significant number of adolescent attempters were females, Irom nuclear family, had higher frequency of medical illnesses and specific life stressors related to their developmental period. Majority had medical contact within one week of attempt and attempted suicide within one week after the stressor. Current psychiatric diagnosis was more frequent in adults than adolescents. In adolescents the most frequent psychiatric diagnosis was adjustment disorder. This study concludes that Adjustment disorders related to life stressors preceded adolescent suicidal attempts more frequently than adults. Helping adolescents to cope with life events should be a focus of suicide prevention strategies in this population. © 2020, Indian Medical Association. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; human; Suicide; child; drowning; female; male; Adolescents; pilot study; psychiatry; depression; Self-harm; psychosis; education; suicide attempt; suicidal behavior; hanging; drug abuse; intoxication; occupation; risk factor; alcohol consumption; major clinical study; mental disease; questionnaire; marriage; automutilation; neurosis; physical disease; cross-sectional study; adjustment disorder; Life events; Attempts; bipolar mania; Article; data analysis software; body weight gain; body weight loss