Family Factors Related to Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents.

Objective: This research aims to investigate what type of family patterns (specifically attachment, bonding and family functioning) and stressful life events can trigger or protect adolescents from developing suicidal behavior. Methods: For these purposes, a case-control study (adolescents with suicidal behavior vs. paired adolescents with no suicidal behavior) was conducted with one hundred 12 to 17-year-old adolescents (50 controls, 50 cases, 74% females), assessed between 2018 and 2020. Results: Negligent (p < 0.001) or affection-less control bonding (p < 0.001), insecure attachment (p = 0.001) and stressful life events (p < 0.001) revealed to be significant risk factors for suicidal behavior. On the contrary, parents' care (p < 0.001) and security (p < 0.001) were revealed as protective factors for suicidal behavior. Conclusions: Considering these results, family interventions and improving coping skills seem to be two essential targets for any suicide prevention intervention in adolescents.

Predictors of Suicide Re-Attempt in a Spanish Adolescent Population after 12 Months' Follow-Up.

Background: This study aims to identify the main predictive factors that allow for the recognition of adolescents with a higher risk of re-attempting suicide. Method: A longitudinal 12-month follow-up design was carried out in a sample of 533 Spanish adolescents between 12 and 17 years old. The data collection period comprised September 2013 to November 2016, including a one-year follow-up after hospital discharge. Results: A statistically significant regression model was obtained to predict suicide re-attempt at 12-months' follow-up (χ2 = 34.843; p < 0.001; Nagelkerke R2 = 0.105), including personal history of self-injury (OR = 2.721, p < 0.001, 95% CI [1.706, 4.340]) and age (OR = 0.541, p = 0.009, 95% CI [0.340, 0.860]), correctly classifying 82.6% of the sample. Our results show that having a personal history of self-injury and being younger than 14 years old were predictors of suicide re-attempt during the first year after an adolescent's first admission to emergency services. Conclusions: Considering these factors could contribute to the design of more tailored and effective interventions to prevent suicidal behavior in adolescents at high risk of re-attempting suicide.

Dimensional analysis of personality in adolescents with suicidal behavior.

OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at validating the dimensional internalizing and externalizing approach to personality in a sample of adolescents with suicidal behavior and analyzing the psychopathological and syndromic differences between adolescents from each dimension. METHOD: It is a descriptive and cross-sectional study of 75 adolescents (75% women) who attended the emergency service of a pediatric hospital due to suicidal behavior. Sociodemographic, clinical and psychopathological data and personality profiles (MACI) were gathered. RESULTS: The factorial analysis found two factors (total variance of 77.65%): an internalizing (28% of the cases) and an externalizing profile (72% of the cases). Statistically significant differences were obtained between the two profiles in the expressed concerns and the clinical syndromes of the MACI. CONCLUSIONS: Two differentiated personality profiles were found in our sample of adolescents with suicidal behavior. The externalizing profile was more prevalent. These profiles should guide clinical decisions and help plan therapeutic interventions to reduce the risk of suicidal behavior relapse.

[Epidemiological characteristics in suicidal adolescents seen in the Emergency Department]. / Características epidemiológicas de las tentativas de suicidio en adolescentes atendidos en Urgencias.

INTRODUCTION: Suicide attempt in adolescents is a major global health problem. In order to prevent them, the risks factors need to be identified. The present study evaluates the clinical and epidemiological aspects of adolescent patients after attempted suicide, who were seen in an emergency department. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Description of retrospective study of patients younger than 18 years who visited emergency department unit after a suicide attempt, during the period from 2008 to 2012. RESULTS: A total of 241 patients were included, of whom 203 were female. The median age of the patients was 15.6 years. Psiquiatric history was present in 65.1% of the patients. The most frequent suicide mechanism was drug overdose (94.2%). Attempted suicide ideation was more common in males and in patients with previous attempts, and were also more related to sequels. Moreover, patients with an overdose were associated with psychiatric history and clinical toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with any of the following characteristics; male, psychiatric history, a history of previous suicide attempts and/or clinical toxicity at the time of the visit in the emergency center, were more associated suicidal ideation before the attempt. Therefore, they had greater severity and risk repeating the attempt. They require a careful psychiatric evaluation and close monitoring.