PRECIPITATING FACTORS AND LIFE EVENTS IN SERIOUS SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG YOUTHS AGED 13 THROUGH 24 YEARS

Objective: Precipitating factors and life events associated with medic ally serious suicide attempts were examined in young people making ser ious suicide attempts and control subjects. Method: Using a case-contr ol design, the authors contrasted 129 young people making serious suic ide attempts with 153 randomly selected community controls on a series of life event occurrences within the preceding year. Precipitating fa ctors for serious suicide attempts were also examined. Results: The mo st common precipitants of serious suicide attempts were relationship b reakdowns, other interpersonal problems, and financial difficulties. H owever, one third of those attempting suicide were unable to describe any precipitating factor. Individuals who made serious suicide attempt s had elevated rates of life events which were associated principally with interpersonal difficulties, work issues, financial difficulties, and legal problems. When due allowance was made for intercorrelations between life event measures and antecedent social, family, and persona lity factors, interpersonal losses and conflicts and legal problems re mained significant risk factors for serious suicide attempts. Conclusi ons: Important proximal occurrences for serious suicide attempts among young people include a series of life events associated principally w ith interpersonal conflicts, relationship difficulties, and legal prob lems.