Clinical Characteristics of Suicidal Behavior in Depressive Adolescent Girls

Objective:

The suicide rate among adolescents has risen dramatically in recent years. Mood disorders, particularly depression are among the strongest risk factors for suicide. The aim of this study is to examine the nature and clinical characteristics of suicidal behavior in depressed adolescent girls.

Method:

The sample comprised of 79 depressed female adolescents aged 15 to 17 years; 40 of whom were classifi ed as suicide ideators and 39 of whom as suicide attempters. Socio-economic Status Scale, Beck Depression Inventory and Suicide Assessment Form were administered.

Results:

Ninety-fi ve percent had made impulsive attempts and medication ingestion was the most common method. Key themes underlying suicidal behaviour included expression of emotional stress, a sense of losing control due to experiences of sadness and helplessness, and perceptions regarding family problems. Reported motives for suicide were escaping from problems, changing the behaviour of signifi cant others in the close circle and making other people feel sad or intending to punish them.

Discussion:

This study is valuable in the sense that it used data that directly assessed the adolescents’ perceptions of their suicidal behavior. The study results suggest that treatments for suicidal behavior in depressed adolescent girls in particular should focus on positive coping and emotion regulation skills. In additon, increasing the strength of family cohesiveness and effective communication skills among family members might provide a protective effect for the risk of suicide.