Predicting Suicide Risk Among Young Suicide Attempters

Abstract

Predicted suicide risk among 206 suicide attempters (aged 15–24 yrs). Of these attempters, 148 completed suicides. The authors compared completed suicides with severe vs nonsevere attempts in Ss, delineated suicide attempters who were at risk to commit suicide so that preventive actions could be focused on the most vulnerable, and developed a screen to aid in the recognition of those at risk. Data were collected from a recently published prospective study of completed vs attempted youth suicides by J. W. G. Tiller et al (1997). Results show that using a violent method to complete suicide, not seeking prior help, being a male, leaving a suicide note, having psychiatric problems, feeling worthless, having a close and warm family relationship, and being in the 20–24 yr old age group indicated a high risk to complete suicide. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)