NCJ Number
113709
Date Published
1988
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The prevalence, demography, causes, and warning signs of adolescent suicide are reviewed.
Abstract
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents, accounting for approximately 5,000 deaths per year among those 15 to 24 years old. Adolescents make more attempts per successful suicide than do adults. Females make more suicide attempts than do males, but males have a suicide completion rate three times higher. Despite higher overall increases in suicides by nonwhite adolescents, white suicide rates remain higher. Suicide rates are highest in Mountain and Pacific regions, lowest in Mid-Atlantic regions. Sucides are more likely to occur in spring and fall, on Sundays and Mondays, and between 3 p.m. and midnight. Theorists have characterized suicide as an attempt to assuage guilt; a composite death wish; a lack of social integration; an attempt at control over the environment; or the result of various biophysical, psychological, and/or sociological factors. Precipitating factors may include disruption of a peer relationship, occurrence of an event that lowers self-esteem, family discord, pregnancy, substance abuse, or pressure to meet high expectations. The most common warning signs are a drastic change in appearance or behavior, a drop in school performance, changed patterns of drug or alcohol use, apathy, giving away possessions, and depression. While depression is a leading sign of suicide, having made a previous attempt is the best predictor. 25 references.