Suicidal Behavior In Children Research Articles

Evaluation of COVID-19 Effect on Mental Health, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents Population

Evaluation of COVID-19 Effect on Mental Health, Self-Harm, and Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents Population

Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents: Synthesis of Issues and Solutions From Global Perspectives

Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents: Synthesis of Issues and Solutions From Global Perspectives

Protective factors of suicidal behaviors in children and adolescents/young adults: A literature review

BackgroundSuicidal behaviors present a public health challenge in children and adolescents. Although the risk factors have long been well documented, protective factors have only been documented for a few years, and there has not been a literature review concerning the suicidal behaviors of children and adolescents since 2006. MethodsRelevant articles were collected using the Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect databases. Studies meeting the following inclusion criteria were included: age of participants from 6 to 19 years, qualitative and quantitative cohort or case–control studies, multivariate analysis studies, and studies with significant results for at least one protective factor. The methodology used in this review is based on the PRISMA criteria. ResultsA total of 26 studies were included in this review, which highlights various individual and environmental protective factors. The results were too heterogeneous to perform a meta-analysis, and therefore the discussion is in the form of a narrative summary. High-quality relationships with family and in the school environment were the most frequently found protective factors. The presence of positive links with peers, with other adults, and with the culture of origin was also noted. On an individual level, self-esteem, emotional intelligence, and particular coping abilities were found to be the most important protective factors. ConclusionThere are numerous important protective factors for suicidal behaviors in children and adolescents and also for adapting care to their needs. A future challenge will be to determine the best protective factors to be consolidated or strengthened using self-assessment tools that are already in use or being developed.

Association Between Antidepressant Use and the Risk of Suicide in Children and Adolescents

In recent years, the prescription of antidepressants for children has come under serious scrutiny, as some studies have shown an increased risk of suicide among those treated in this way. The main aim of this study is to investigate the causal relationship between antidepressant use and suicidal behaviour in children and adolescents. We reviewed the literature on the Google Scholar, pubmed, science direct database. The data in the literature were contradictory; while it has now been demonstrated that SSRIs very moderately increase the risk of suicide ideation and attempts, with venlafaxine, paroxetine and sertraline in particular showing a higher risk than other SSRIs such as fluoxetine and citalopram, several studies show that their use is associated with a significant reduction in suicide rates in children and adolescents. There is currently no certainty of a causal relationship between antidepressants and suicidality in children and adolescents, so the mechanisms are still poorly understood.

Perspectives on the Study of Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review of the Literature Using Graph Theory

En las últimas décadas se ha incrementado el número de investigaciones sobre el comportamiento suicida en la infancia y la adolescencia, sin embargo, no existen estudios en la actualidad que caractericen la producción científica en perspectivas de investigación. El objetivo de este artículo es caracterizar las perspectivas dominantes de investigación sobre el comportamiento suicida, factores de riesgo y predictores a nivel biopsicosocial en niños(as) y adolescentes. La búsqueda bibliográfica se efectuó en la base de datos Web of Science. Para el manejo de la información se realizó un análisis de citaciones y de clusterización mediante teoría de grafos. Se empleó las herramientas Sci2 Tool y Gephi. Se encontraron tres orientaciones investigativas dominantes enfocadas al análisis de los predictores psiquiátricos de la conducta suicida (1), la relación entre autolesión no suicida y la conducta suicida (2) y el abuso infantil y su relación con la conducta suicida (3). Se espera que este estudio contribuya a la comprensión de las múltiples aristas investigativas sobre el comportamiento suicida en la infancia y la adolescencia. Al mismo tiempo, la metodología utilizada enriquece el campo de estudio al reflejar con precisión su situación actual a nivel investigativo.

Self-injury and suicidal behavior in children and youth population: Learning from the pandemic

IntroductionSuicidal behaviour and self-harm are increasing in children and adolescents. Non-suicidal self-harm are a dysfunctional method of emotional regulation, and it must be distinguished from suicidal behaviours. MethodsNarrative review of the current situation on suicide and self-harm in Spain. Descriptive study of suicidal behaviours in paediatric emergencies. ResultsMental health consultations were analysed (March-2019 to March-2020 and March-2020 to March-2021) in a multicentric study of the SEUP (Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies), finding a 122 % increase of the diagnosis of "non-accidental drug intoxication” and 56 % of “suicide/suicide attempt/suicidal ideation”. In another prospective analysis, 281 attempts were recorded, with the patient profile being: female (90.1 %), 14.8 years old, 34.9 % without previous psychiatric diagnosis; 57.7% with previous suicidal behaviour. The presence of psychiatric disorders, especially depression, and previous attempts, are the best-known risk factors for suicidal behaviour, although other factors are involved (family, personal or social). Pediatricians should be trained to deal with questions about suicide and acquire the skills to conduct an interview with a supportive and empathetic attitude. In Spain, suicide prevention plans are heterogeneous among communities, and there is not a unified national suicide prevention plan. ConclusionsPrimary, hospital and mental health care resources for paediatric population should be strengthened to prevent suicidal behaviours. Specific training for school staff, and child and adolescent psychiatry training for paediatricians and nurses are crucial in the prevention of suicide in children and adolescent population.

Affiliation to a Social Group as a Preventive Factor in Suicidal Behaviors in Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Suicide is one of the most common causes of death in the population of children and adolescents. Available data show the continuous growth of this phenomenon and the ineffectiveness of prevention programs. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected young people's mental health, including an increased risk of suicidal behaviors due to limited direct contact with the school and peer groups in favor of the home environment. Therefore, the aim of this narrative review was to consider the risk factors and protective factors for suicidal behavior in the under-18 population, with a particular focus on the importance of belonging to a social group and building identification with it as a phenomenon protecting against suicidal behavior. Additionally, in this review, we evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected these relationships. The PubMed database was used in the search with the following keywords: suicide, suicide behaviors, child and adolescent suicide behaviors, group affiliation, family affiliation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, and the COVID-19 pandemic, with articles published between 2002 and 2022 analyzed. Research conducted to date indicates that both sustained and stable family and peer relationships, as well as a sense of identification and belonging, noticeably reduce the risk of suicidal behavior. Ethnic or cultural affiliation seems to have been particularly important during the isolation in the home environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it has been shown that while in lockdown, contact through social media with individuals' identification groups was associated with a reduced chance of emotional crises. Furthermore, regardless of cultural background, attachment to a particular group correlates with enhanced psychiatric state of children and adolescents. Thus, available data highlight the need for building and maintaining affiliations with suitable groups as a protective factor against suicidal behaviors.

Suicide and Suicidality in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Skin Disorders: A Systematic Review

Suicide in young children is rare; the incidence increases towards the end of adolescence. Skin disorders confer a high prevalence of psychiatric and psycho-logical comorbidities. However, published research on suicidal behaviour in adolescents and children with skin disorders is sparse. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of suicidal behaviour in children and adolescents under 18 years of age with chronic skin disorders and associated contributing risk factors. MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to October 2020 for suicide or suicide attempts in patients under 18 years old with chronic skin disorders. The study protocol was logged on PROSPERO (CRD42020083528). Returned texts were reviewed independently by 2 authors. Bias was assessed according to Joanna Briggs Institute criteria. Five studies met the inclusion criteria; 4 cross-sectional surveys and 1 retrospective matched-cohort study. A total of 31,641 patients with acne, atopic dermatitis, body dysmorphic disorder or psoriasis were identified. Prevalence of suicidal ideation was 0.45% (psoriasis) to 67% (body dysmorphic disorder). The prevalence of suicidal attempts ranged from 0.08% (psoriasis) to 21.9% (acne). Patients with acne or atopic dermatitis had significantly increased odds ratio for suicidal attempts. Meta-analysis could not be performed owing to the heterogeneity and sparsity of data. Suicidal risk in skin disorders amongst adolescents and children under the age of 18 years old is broad and complex. The suicidal risk remained after adjusting for depression, suggestive of an alternative mechanism.

Urgent issues of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents (general and regional aspects)

The article deals with the issue of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents in the context of the realities of modern society. There has been an increase in juvenile suicides in Russia in recent years, with an overall average decrease in suicide rates. An attempt is made to consider these facts in the context of social and biological aspects affecting the formation of behavioral disorders. The phenomenon of «fragmentary» or «clip» thinking, characteristic of the modern youth subculture, as well as the role of social and neurobiological factors in the formation of suicidal behavior, is discussed. The results of a retrospective analysis of complex posthumous forensic psychological and psychiatric examinations of completed suicides of children and adolescents in the Republic of Buryatia for the period 2012–2016 are presented. It has been found that male teenagers (15–17 years old) who lived in rural areas, were brought up in single-parent families, and studied at a secondary school predominate. In 21.8 % of cases, there was a history of suicide in close relatives and every fifth suicidal child had signs of suicidal behavior earlier (suicidal statements, attempts, interest in the topic of suicide). In most of the studied cases, family conflicts were the probable causes of suicidal behavior. It is concluded that in order to analyze the issue of suicide in children and adolescents, a comprehensive assessment of social, ethno-cultural, and biological factors is necessary.

The Experience of the Crisis Clinic at the Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health of Children and Adolescents named after G.E. Sukhareva

BACKGROUND: Suicidal behavior by children and adolescents has been and remains one of the most intractable of our social ills. Despite the general downward trend in suicide rates, children and adolescents remain one of the most at-risk groups. Suicidal behavior in all its manifestations is a biopsychosocial problem in which the superiority of one approach or the other cannot be unambiguously justified. It flows from this that strategies that aim to prevent suicide should weave together not just the medical and psychological aspects of the issue, but the social, legal, pedagogical, and other dimensions as well.
 AIM: To develop an integrated approach that could provide primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of suicidal behavior in children, provide the routing of patients, and coordinate actions both between the outpatient link and inpatient specialized care and between different departments, primarily between the Moscow Department of Healthcare and the Department of Education.
 METHODS: We analyzed the dynamics of the number of admissions to the Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health of Children and Adolescents named after G.E. Sukhareva of Moscow Health Department (Sukhareva Center) with suicidal manifestations in 20192022. Organization of the Crisis Care Clinic (Crisis Clinic), which specializes in helping children and adolescents aged 11 to 17 who find themselves in a situation of psychological crisis, have suicidal tendencies, display self-injurious behavior, experience grief, violence, or have suffered abuse.
 RESULTS: A comprehensive multi-disciplinary approach is identified as the most efficient way to treat and prevent suicidal behavior in children and adolescents. Psychopharmacotherapy is used to influence severe depressive symptomatology, reduce anxiety, moderate sedation, correct behavioral disorders, etc. In addition to medication, comprehensive psychotherapeutic assistance is recommended. The leading therapeutic approaches are cognitive-behavioral, including DBT, and family therapy, with the efforts of therapists concentrated on alleviating post-traumatic stress, depression, and behavioral problems, as well as resolving intrafamily conflicts.
 CONCLUSION: The need to remedy severe crisis conditions and their associated psychopathological repercussions (including suicidal and self-harming behavior) calls for coordinated efforts on the part of specialists from different fields of knowledge related to childhood and adolescence. Our analysis of the experience of working with children and adolescents in the Crisis Clinic at the Sukhareva Center shows that there is high demand for such highly specialized institutions and that the basic principles laid down at its creation, urgency, stage, and continuity of care, poly-professionalism with a focus on non-drug treatment methods, orientation towards the patients family are relevant.

Pediatricians’ Competence in Prevention, Risk Determination or Detection of Suicidal Behavior in Children: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Background. Child and adolescent suicides remain one of the most painful public issues. The COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated this topic as the number of suicides among children population has increased in this period. Research and practice guidelines identify the leading role of primary care physicians in the prevention, identification, and routing of patients with suicidal behavior. At the same time, there were no studies on pediatricians’ competence in the field of suicides.Objective. The aim of the study is to study pediatricians’ competence in prevention, risk determination or and detection of suicidal behavior.Methods. Cross-sectional study was conducted with the usage of original electronic questionnaire aimed on identifying the level of pediatricians’ competence in evaluating suicidal behavior in children. Questionnaire included 18 questions.Results. We have received 208 electronic questionnaires. 97.1% of specialists have confirmed that they evaluate emotional status of their patients during admission. During admission: 86.1% of specialists have considered the characteristics of children appearance, facial expression, voice intonation, 65.4% — have asked questions about mood, 62.5% — have interviewed parents. 98.6% of specialists pay attention to the presence of self-inflicted injuries marks, 88.4% — ask about the origin of these injuries. Only 36.1% of respondents ask patients about suicidal thoughts, intentions, or actions. Only 69.3% of specialists are ready to refer their patients to psychologist, and 51.7% — to psychiatrist.Conclusion. Even though most surveyed pediatricians notice signs of suicidal intent (low mood, self-inflicted injuries), they avoid discussing the topic of suicide during admission. Increasing the competence of pediatricians should be aimed on destigmatisation in the field of mental health, increasing the knowledge level, and developing practical skills in working with children with suicidal behavior.

Examination of U.S. national rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for depression and suicidal behaviors after the release of the 13 Reasons Why Netflix series by demographic characteristics

BackgroundTo evaluate the impact of the series 13Reasons Why on depression and suicidal behaviors in children and adolescents. MethodsData from the 2016 to 2018 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) from 2016 to 2018 was used to determine the presentation in both settings for depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior. This was compared to predictive modeling for presentations in the same time frame. ResultsFollowing the release of 13 Reasons Why both hospital admissions and presentations to the Emergency Department (ED) increased for complaints of worsening depression or suicidal thoughts and behavior. This was more pronounced for youth aged 10–17 years, Black race, and female sex. There were no significant findings, overall, for females 6–9 years, but in-patient visits for depression increased in May 2017 for Black females 6–9 years. Males 6–9 years had higher rates of ED visits for depression and both ED and in-patient visits for suicidal behaviors. LimitationsSecondary data analyses have known limitations including inability to track over time, inclusion of only visit-level data, and failure to collect variables of interest. ConclusionsThe series 13 Reasons Why was likely associated with exacerbations of both depressive illnesses and suicidal behavior in youth, particularly for female and Black youth from 10 to 17 years. This study adds to known concerns regarding the role of media in influencing suicidal behavioral in vulnerable children and has important implications for youth monitoring and parent and youth education. More research is needed to identify specific targets for prevention.

Neutrophil to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios as biomarkers for suicidal behavior in children and adolescents with depression or anxiety treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

BackgroundBoth the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) have been proposed as biomarkers of suicidal risk in adults with depression. We examined whether these ratios may be considered biomarkers for suicidal behavior in young patients with major depressive or anxiety disorders before treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or as biomarkers for the adverse event of SSRI-associated suicidality. MethodsChildren and adolescents meeting criteria for major depressive or anxiety disorder were recruited. Serum levels of three pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) were assessed; and NLR and PLR calculated, from blood samples collected at baseline and after 8 weeks treatment with SSRI. A Mann-Whitney test was performed to evaluate differences in NLR and PLR between children with and without a history of a suicide attempt prior to treatment. We compared hematological parameters before and after treatment, and between children who developed SSRI-associated suicidality versus children without treatment emergent suicidality. ResultsAmong 91 children and adolescents (aged 13.9 ± 2.4 years), baseline NLR and PLR were significantly higher among those with a history of a suicide attempt versus those without such history. Statistically significant correlations were found for the suicide ideation subscale in the Columbia suicide severity rating scale with both baseline NLR and PLR. Baseline NLR and PLR were similar in children who did and did not develop SSRI-associated suicidality after 8 weeks. In the final logistic regression model (χ2 = 18.504, df = 4, p value = 0.001), after controlling for sex, depression severity and IL-6 levels, NLR was significantly associated with a past suicide attempt (β = 1.247, p = 0.019; OR [95% CI] = 3.478 [1.230–9.841]), with a NLR cut-off value of = 1.76 (area under the curve = 0.75 (95% CI = 0.63–0.88, sensitivity = 73%, and specificity = 71%, p value = 0.003). ConclusionsHigh NLR and PLR values may be associated with suicidal behavior in depressed and anxious children and adolescents. NLR appears as a better predictor of suicide attempt than PLR, and thus may be a useful biomarker of suicidality in young patients with depression or anxiety.

Suicidal Ideation Among Children and Young Adults in a 24/7 Messenger-Based Psychological Chat Counseling Service.

BackgroundSuicidality in children and young adults is a pervasive problem: approximately 40% of respondents in epidemiological surveys in German schools reported suicidal ideation, while up to 9% reported a suicide attempt in the past. While there is compelling evidence for the effectiveness of telephone-based hotline services, an increasing preference of adolescents for messenger-based counseling services can be observed. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the utilization behavior and user satisfaction of users contacting a German messenger-based chat counseling service (“krisenchat”) regarding suicidal ideation.MethodsThe present cross-sectional study analyzed retrospective anonymous data on sociodemographic variables, utilization behavior, and user satisfaction of krisenchat users who used the service between May 2020 and July 2021. Chi-square-tests were used to identify associations of sociodemographic characteristics and utilization behavior with suicidal ideation. Mann-Whitney-U-tests were used to compare the user satisfaction and the recommendation-to-others-rate between suicidal and non-suicidal krisenchat-users.ResultsIn total, chat data of N = 11,031 users were collected. Of the n = 6,962 users included in the final analysis, n = 1,444 (20.7%) contacted krisenchat because of suicidal ideation. The average user experiencing suicidal ideation was 17 years old, female and currently not receiving other treatment. Further, suicidal ideation was significantly and positively associated with age and non-suicidal self-injury. Regarding utilization patterns, there were significant positive associations between suicidal ideation and counseling session count, mean amount of messages sent, and mean amount of words used per message by the user. User satisfaction was high, with 64.7% (n = 413) of users that answered the feedback survey and experiencing suicidal ideation rating the help they received as at least “good” and a recommendation rate of 89.6% (n = 571). Most importantly, no differences were found between users reporting suicidal ideation and those that do not regarding satisfaction and the probability of recommending the service.ConclusionResults imply satisfaction with the counseling service among users with suicidal ideation. Nevertheless, there is a need for further research into messenger-based counseling services regarding the prevention of suicidal behavior in children, youths, and young adults. Longitudinal studies are especially needed to assess the effectiveness of messenger-based interventions.Study RegistrationDRKS00026671.

Transgenerational concordance in parent-to-child transmission of suicidal behaviour: a retrospective, nationwide, register-based cohort study of 4 419 642 individuals in Denmark

Suicidal behaviour runs in families, but the nature of transgenerational concordance needs elucidation. The aim of this study was to examine parent-to-child transmission by investigating whether presence and nature of parental suicidal behaviour was associated with suicidal behaviour in children. We did a retrospective, nationwide, register-based cohort study in Demark using register data. We included all individuals born after 1953 who were 10 years or older and who were recorded as living in Denmark at some point between Jan 1, 1980, and Dec 31, 2016. Adults listed as living with their child at first registration in the Civil Registration System were considered as parents; later records of different legal parents allowed identification of potential step-parents. Self-reported ethnicity data were not available. Exposure to parental suicide attempt and suicide was identified using information from hospital contacts and causes of death from national registers. The examined outcomes were suicide attempt and death by suicide. We calculated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and cumulative hazards for children's suicide attempt and suicide, taking into account type of parental suicidal behaviour, child's age of exposure, and sex. In total, 4 419 642 individuals aged 10-63 years were observed during 1980-2016. Of these individuals, 150 222 (3·4%) were exposed to one or more parents with a suicide attempt, 31 564 (0·7%) to at least one parent who died by suicide, and 12 834 (0·3%) to both events. Individuals exposed to parental suicide attempt had higher rates of suicide attempt (IRR 2·72 [95% CI 2·33-3·17]) than individuals exposed to parental suicide (1·77 [1·50-2·09]) when compared with unexposed individuals. Higher rates of suicide were found for individuals exposed to parental suicide (IRR 3·18 [95% CI 2·84-3·58]) than for those exposed to parental suicide attempt (2·37 [2·19-2·57]). The cumulative hazard of suicide attempt was 0·07 for individuals exposed to parental suicide attempt, and the cumulative hazard of suicide was 0·009 for individuals exposed to parental suicide. Individuals exposed to parental suicide had higher odds of violent suicidal methods than those exposed to suicide attempt alone (odds ratio 2·0 [95% CI 1·7-2·3]). A concordant pattern of higher rates of the same type of suicidal behaviour as the one of the parents was observed, including type of suicide method. Preventive, family-oriented interventions are warranted to mitigate familial transmission of risk, as are clinical considerations of familial exposure in risk assessment of patients. Mental Health Services, Capital Region of Denmark.

Pathways to Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents: Examination of Child Maltreatment and Post-Traumatic Symptoms.

Suicide in youth exacts significant personal and community costs. Thus, it is important to understand predisposing risk factors. Experiencing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as child maltreatment (CM-ACE), and the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder has been identified as a risk factor of suicidal behaviors among adults. Theoretical models of suicide suggest that the presence of painful experiences such as CM-ACEs increase the risk of suicidal behaviors. The relation between child maltreatment, post-traumatic stress symptom clusters (PTSS) and suicidal behaviors has not been explicitly examined among youth. The present study examined the relations between CM-ACEs, PTSS clusters, and suicidal behaviors in a clinical population of children. Children, male, ages 6 to 14, enrolled in a residential treatment program completed self-report measures to evaluate variables of interest. Path analyses revealed statistically significant direct effects of CM-ACEs and PTSS clusters on suicidal behaviors. Significant total indirect effects and marginally significant individual indirect effects of intrusion and avoidance symptoms were observed for the relation between CM-ACEs and suicidal behavior. Findings suggest that symptoms associated with specific PTSS clusters might help explain the relation between CM-ACEs and suicidal behavior, and therefore, present important implications for clinical practice and future research.

Распространенность и варианты суицидального поведения детей и подростков Краснодарского края

Background: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year about 700,000 people die as a result of suicide. In the age group of 15–19 years, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death. In 2011 UNICEF released the report based on the Federal Service for State Statistics (Rosstat) data, according to which every twelfth teenager aged 13–17 years is trying to commit suicide in Russia. Aim: to study the frequency and case structure of suicidal activity in children and adolescents in the Krasnodar Territory for further improvement of measures to reduce the risk of autoaggressive behavior. Patients and Methods: the article presents the analysis of indicators concerning suicidal activity in children and adolescents of the Krasnodar Territory for the period 2020–2021. The data were obtained from specialists of the psychiatric and pediatric service of the Krasnodar Territory, the Directorate of the Federal Service for State Statistics of the Krasnodar Territory and the Republic of Adygea (Krasnodarstat), and the Directorate for Registry Offices of the Krasnodar Territory with the support of Medical Information and Analytical Center. Results: in 2020, 98 cases of autoaggressive behavior were registered. Of these, 70 (71.4%) cases of incomplete suicide attempts, 25 (25.5%) cases of suicidal statements and 3 (3.1%) completed suicides. In 2021, there were 138 cases of suicidal behavior of minor residents registered in the Krasnodar Territory, of which 91 (65.9%) cases of incomplete suicide attempts, 40 (29%) cases of suicidal statements, intentions and threats without committing a suicide attempt, and 7 (5.1%) cases of completed suicides. In the contingent of persons with incomplete suicidal attempts (90 minors), there was a significant predominance of females 79 (85.9%) and 75 (83.3%) people in 2020 and 2021, respectively, as well as the predominance of the age group of 15–17 years old 48 (69.6%) and 68 (75.6%) people in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In the structure of the methods concerning committing incomplete suicidal attempts, the administration of medications and other substances, as well as self-harm, were most commonly recorded. Conclusion: incomplete suicide attempts and the number of suicide deaths among children and adolescents of the Krasnodar Territory were analyzed by age and sex. The main ways of implementing auto-aggressive behavior, representation in various regions of the Krasnodar Territory, as well as the measures conducted by outpatient and inpatient psychiatric services in order to prevent suicidal behavior in the study cohort were identified. KEYWORDS: suicidal activity, autoaggressive activity, completed suicide, suicidal attempt, children, adolescents. FOR CITATION: Boyko E.O., Vasyanina Yu.Sh., Mylnikova Yu.A., Aleksanyan E.K. Prevalence of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents of the Krasnodar Territory. Russian Journal of Woman and Child Health. 2022;5(3):223–227 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2618- 8430-2022-5-3-223-227.

Risk of Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents Exposed to Maltreatment: The Mediating Role of Borderline Personality Traits and Recent Stressful Life Events.

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is associated with increased non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal behavior (SB), independently of demographic and mental health conditions. Self-Trauma Theory and Linehan’s Biopsychosocial Model might explain the emergence of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) symptoms as mediators of the association between CM and the risk of SB. However, little is known regarding such relationships when the exposure is recent for young persons. Here, we study 187 youths aged 7–17, with or without mental disorders. We explore CM experiences (considering the severity and frequency of different forms of neglect and abuse), recent stressful life events (SLEs), some BPD traits (emotion dysregulation, intense anger and impulsivity), and the risk of SB (including NSSI, suicide threat, suicide ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempt). We study the direct and mediating relationships between these variables via a structural equation analysis using the statistical software package EQS. Our findings suggest that youths exposed to more severe/frequent CM have more prominent BPD traits, and are more likely to have experienced recent SLEs. In turn, BPD traits increase the risk of SLEs. However, only emotion dysregulation and recent SLEs were found to be correlated with SB. Therefore, targeted interventions on emotion dysregulation are necessary to prevent NSSI or SB in children and adolescents exposed to CM, as is the minimization of further SLEs.

Depression as a mediator between bullying and suicidal behavior in children and adolescents

Few studies have explored the mediating effect of depression on the relationship between school bullying and suicidal behavior. This study analyzed the mediating effect of depression on the association between school bullying and suicide risk and attempt in a sample of 221 children and adolescents between 11 and 17 years old (M= 13.52, SD= 1.74). Regression analysis showed that depression (OR= 1.2) and school bullying (OR= 1.4) explain between 34% and 54% of the variance in suicide risk. Depression (OR= 1.1) and the symptomatology of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and effects on self-esteem (OR= 1.3) explain between 25% and 41% of the variance in suicide attempt. Two structural equation models were constructed to demonstrate that depression mediates the relationship between school bullying, risk and suicide attempt. These findings will guide intervention strategies to prevent school bullying and suicide risk in school and community settings.

SOCIO-PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR IN ADOLESCENTS

The article is devoted to theoretical and experimental study of socio-psychological aspects of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents. In recent decades, problem of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents has become increasingly relevant. The suicide rate among population of economically developed countries of world is steadily growing. In age group 5-14 the number of suicides has doubled over past ten years. According to various authors, every year from 2 to 10% students in schools and vocational education systems (colleges, vocational schools) make a suicidal attempt.