Chapter 12 - The Outcome of Suicide Attempts among Adolescents

Abstract

Several major conclusions can be drawn in this chapter on the follow-up course of adolescent suicide attempters. These studies consistently show a high level of continued dysfunction among adolescent suicide attempters, suggesting that for most adolescents, the suicide attempt is not an isolated problem. Adolescent suicide attempters are also at much higher risk for both repeat attempts and eventual completed suicide than are adolescents without prior suicidal behavior. Clinicians who work with adolescent suicide attempters should be aware that the first several months following a suicide attempt represent the period of highest risk. Although females are more likely to attempt suicide than males, adolescent male suicide attempters are at greater risk for eventual death by suicide. The risk for future suicide attempts and for completed suicide increases with each subsequent attempt. Other factors that place adolescents at heightened risk include a highly lethal attempt, the presence of an affective disorder, psychosis, or substance abuse, impaired social adjustment or family functioning, and recent losses. Adolescent suicidal behavior is a complex outcome with multiple contributing factors. Therapists could place greater focus on improving the living situations of their adolescent patients who have attempted suicide. Identifying additional factors that protect against suicidal behavior will be a critical task for our field in years to come.