Citation

Feijó RB, Salazar CC, Bozko MP, Bozko MP, Candiago RH, Ávila S, Da Rocha TS, Fagundes Chaves ML. J. Bras. Psiquiatr. 1996; 45(11): 657-664.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Instituto De Psiquiatria)

DOI

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PMID

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Abstract

The number of studies on the self-destructive behavior in adolescents has been increasing specially due to the high levels of violent deaths (homicide, suicide and accidents) that occur along this age. During a 4-month period, suicide attempts were daily assessed among 13 to 20-year-old adolescents who were seemed in a public emergency hospital (Hospital de Pronto-Socorro) in Porto Alegre. Global cognitive function and socialdemographic variables were controlled, so as personal and familial histories of organic and psychiatric disease. The adolescents were assessed by scales of suicide behavior and ideation, screening for mental disease and Major Depression (diagnosed by DSM-III-R). Thirty-two cases of suicide attempt were observed, where the most used method was exogenous intoxication (88%). Women represented 84.4% of the sample, and the mean age of the adolescents were 16.6-year-old. Six percent of the cases reported a positive personal history of psychiatric disease. Familial history of alcohol or drugs abuse and parents separation were present at least on half of the cases; 47% had previous suicide attempt. About 68% of the subjects had cognitive impairment; 75% met criteria for suspicion of mental disease; suicide ideation and behavior were present in 87.5 and 69% of cases, respectively. Diagnosis for Major Depression was positive in 28% of the adolescents. We conclude that the use of scales like those of this study may help to better understand and objectively assess suicide risk on such an age where the problem is very prevalent.

Language: pt

Keywords

Depression; Suicide; Adolescence; Suicidal behavior; Suicide attempt; Suicide risk; Hopelessness