CHARACTERISTICS OF OUTPATIENT ADOLESCENTS WITH SUICIDAL TENDENCIES

Suicidal adolescent out-patients were compared with non-suicidal subje cts with respect to background factors, psychopathology and treatment received. Data for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, psychiatric di agnoses (DSM-III-R) and other patient-related factors were collected p rospectively during treatment of 122 male and 138 female out-patients aged 12-22 years. In total, 42% of subjects displayed suicidal tendenc ies, and 18% had attempted suicide. According to polychotomous regress ion, mood disorder, previous psychiatric treatment and low level of ps ychosocial functioning at treatment entry were associated with suicide attempts and with suicidal ideation for both sexes, Suicidal patients were more often receiving psychotropic medication and had more total appointments (mean number 15 vs. 9) than non-suicidal patients. Suicid al and non-suicidal patients kept their scheduled appointments to the same extent (66% vs. 65%). Treatments which meet the needs of disorder ed suicidal adolescents need to be developed.