Adolescent suicidal ideation subgroups and their association with suicidal plans and attempts in young adulthood

Suicide Life Threat Behav. 2008 Oct;38(5):564-75. doi: 10.1521/suli.2008.38.5.564.

Abstract

Suicidal ideation during adolescence is quite common. Longitudinal ideation patterns may predict adolescents at greatest risk of progressing to more serious suicidal behaviors. We enumerated suicidal ideation trajectory subgroups and estimated subgroup association with later suicidal plans and attempts using data collected across a 13-year period from 552 Caucasian adolescents. Three subgroups were found: non-ideators (no ideation), decreasers (ideation decreased), and increasers (ideation persisted or increased). Probability of planning a suicide was greatest among increasers (females: .54, males: 51, p < .01). Probability of attempting suicide was greatest among male decreasers (.36, p < .01) and female increasers (.25, p < .01).

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Attitude*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology*
  • Young Adult