Risk factors for suicide attempt in children, adolescents, and young adults hospitalized for mental health disorders.
Child Adolesc Ment Health
; 26(2): 134-142, 2021 05.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32569425
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Suicide is a leading cause of death among children, adolescents, and young adults (AYA), and mental health disorders are a major contributing factor. Yet, suicidal behaviors among children and AYA with mental health concerns remain understudied and age-specific risk factors are poorly understood. We examined the risk factors for suicide attempt in children and AYA with mental health disorders across three age groups pre-adolescent children (aged ≤ 12), adolescents (aged 13-17), and young adults (aged 18-25).METHODS:
A cross-sectional study of children and AYA hospitalized for a mental health disorder (n = 18,018) at a private hospital system with 141 facilities across the United States (year 2014).RESULTS:
Suicide attempts six months prior to hospitalization were reported in 12.1% (n = 177) pre-adolescent children, 22% (n = 1476) adolescents, and 17.9% (n = 1766) young adults. Evidence of psychological trauma was present in 55.4% of pre-adolescent children, 51.2% of adolescents, and 44.5% of young adults. Predictors for suicide attempt observed across all three age groups included the following female sex, depressive disorder, and being a victim of bullying. Risk factors for suicide attempt specific to pre-adolescent children included being uninsured and having an unsafe home or school environment. Among AYA, suicide attempt was associated with non-Hispanic white, family history of suicide, emotional traumas, and other traumatic experiences. Alcohol use disorder was also a significant predictor of suicide attempt in young adults.CONCLUSIONS:
Suicide attempts among children and AYA admitted to a hospital with mental health concerns are highly prevalent. Socioeconomic stressors appeared to be an important contributing factor of suicidal behavior in pre-adolescent children but not in older AYA. Effective suicide prevention strategies targeting children and AYA would need to consider age-specific risk factors.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Intento de Suicidio
/
Salud Mental
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Child Adolesc Ment Health
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article