The Association between Hyperactivity and Suicidal Behavior and Attempts among Children Referred from Emergency Departments.

The global prevalence of suicidal behaviors in children is rising, with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) proposed as a contributing factor. This study examines the association between ADHD facets (hyperactivity and inattention) and suicidal behavior and attempts in children. Additionally, it seeks to compare self-reported ADHD symptoms and suicide-related incidents with parental reports. A cohort of 71 children referred from emergency departments due to suicidal thoughts and behaviors completed self- and parental report questionnaires. The results revealed that elevated hyperactivity scores, surpassing the ADHD diagnosis threshold, were significantly associated with increased rates of suicidal behavior. Hyperactivity demonstrated a stronger association with lifetime suicide attempts compared to inattention. Moreover, children's self-reported ADHD symptoms exhibited a stronger correlation with suicide attempts than parental reports. This study highlights the critical role of hyperactivity in understanding suicidal behaviors among children with ADHD. It underscores the importance of considering hyperactivity-related symptoms in assessment and treatment approaches for suicidal behavior in this population.

Psychosocial Correlates of Suicidal Ideation and Behavior in Adolescents and Preadolescent Children Discharged from an Emergency Department in Israel.

OBJECTIVES: Adolescent suicidal behavior is highly prevalent in pediatric psychiatric emergency departments, and there is a growing occurrence of such behavior among preadolescent children. This study aims to examine the psychosocial factors associated with nonfatal suicidal behaviors in children (<12 years old) and adolescents (aged 12-18), to gain insight into unique and shared characteristics of suicidal behavior across these two age groups. METHOD: This study investigates the psychosocial characteristics associated with suicidal ideation and behaviors in an emergency department sample of 183 children and adolescents aged 7-18 years in Israel. Participants completed a diagnostic interview, and self-report and parent-report questionnaires of psychosocial measures. Cross-sectional correlational and regression analyses were used to determine significant correlates of suicidal outcomes within the two age groups. RESULTS: Among adolescents, females exhibited a higher prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, while in children, both boys and girls showed similar rates. Depression correlated with suicidal ideation for both adolescents and children. In children, anxiety and conduct symptoms were associated with suicidal behavior, whereas in adolescents, suicidal behavior was associated with depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings contribute to the growing understanding of factors associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors among children in comparison to adolescents. These findings underscore the importance of targeting specific risk factors when developing assessment and intervention strategies tailored to the two age groups.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors were more common in female adolescents, but similar for boys and girls in children.Different correlates were found for suicidal behavior in children compared to adolescents.This study emphasizes the need for age-specific tailored assessment and intervention.