Original Article
Suicidality in Affectively Disordered Adolescent Inpatients

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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.

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  • Cited by (0)

    This work was supported by: Health Research and Services Foundation AA-81, William T. Grant Foundation #86-1063-86 and National Institute of Mental Health #1 K08 MH00581. We would like to thank the patients and staff of the Adolescent and Young Adult Module inpatient unit at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic for their help in completing this study. Technical and interviewing assistance was provided by Charles Goldstein, A.C.S.W., D. Gwendolyn Ross, M.D., and Stella Calobrisi, B.S. Karen Rhinaman provided expert assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.

    This paper is dedicated to the memory of Joaquim Puig-Antich, M.D. (1944–1989).

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