Adolescent Suicide: Psychosocial and Cognitive Aspects (From Adolescent Suicide, P 11-66, 1988, Robert W. Cole, Jr., ed. -- See NCJ-117025)

• NCJ Number: 117026
• Author(s): S V Petzel; M Riddle
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 56 pages
• Sale Source: Phi Delta Kappa
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This review of the social, situational, cognitive, and individual variables that contribute to youthful suicide concludes that adolescents attempting suicide generally are of average intelligence, have a negative outlook, are emotionally reactive, probably are depressed and act out their feelings, and have experienced chronic family and social disruption.

Abstract

The characteristics of adolescents who complete suicide are relatively unknown. However, these youths may be even more isolated and disturbed and less visible than are those attempting suicide. Factors such as gender, sex roles, emotional disturbance, sequence of events over time, and physical illness seem to have important roles in the development of suicidal behavior for this age group but need further clarification. Further research should focus on the interaction of multiple etiological factors over time and on identifying the psychosocial factors that may distinguish suicidal adolescent from other emotionally disturbed youths. Tables and 126 references.