Psychological autopsy of completed suicide in children and adolescents

Authors:
  • MSM Shafii
    M Shafii
  • SCS Carrigan
    S Carrigan
  • JWJ R Whittinghill
    J R Whittinghill
  • ADA Derrick
    A Derrick
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Abstract
A psychological autopsy of 20 children and adolescents aged 12-19 years who had committed suicide and a matched-pair control group revealed that 85% of the victims and 18% of the control subjects had expressed suicidal ideation. A statistically significant number of the victims had a history of suicide threats (55%), suicide attempts (40%), drug or alcohol abuse (70%), antisocial behavior (70%), or inhibited personality (65%). Suicidal behavior of parents, relatives, or friends and a parental history of emotional problems and absence or abusiveness were also significant factors for the victims.