Suicidal thoughts and attempts among adolescents: a longitudinal 8-year follow-up study

Background: To study the prevalence of and factors associated with suicidal behaviour among 580 adolescents. Methods: An 8-year longitudinal study inc luded questions about suicidal attempts and thoughts at age 16. Children we re evaluated with parent and teacher Rutter scales and self-reported Child Depression Inventory at age 8. At age 16, parents filled in the Child Behav iour Check List and adolescents the Youth Self Report. Results: 14% of girl s and 7% of boys reported suicidal thoughts or preoccupations at age 16. Em otional and behavioural problems at age 8, especially antisocial symptoms, reported by parents and teachers and depressive symptoms reported by the ch ild were correlated with suicidal thoughts and behaviour 8 years later. At age 16, internalizing and externalizing problems and low social competence were associated with suicidal features. Only about 20% of those who reporte d suicidal features had been referred to child mental health services. Conc lusions: Many adolescents with suicidal thoughts and behaviour had a high r ate of behavioural and emotional problems already at age 8. Clinical implic ations: The early school years represent an opportunity for interventions w hich may prevent self-destructive behaviours in adolescence. (C) 2001 Elsev ier Science B.V. All rights reserved.