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Adolescent Suicide Risk Factors

By D.H. Granello|P.F. Granello
Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall

Demographic risk factors

  • Caucasian males are at highest risk for completion
  • Fastest growing rates are among African American males
  • Females are much more likely to have suicidal ideation and attempts

Emotional risk factors

  • All mental disorders, but most prevalent are:
    • Depression (particularly hopelessness) and other affective disorders (particularly bipolar disorder)
    • Schizophrenia
    • Substance abuse
  • Identity problems
  • Anger and impulsivity
  • Impulsivity
  • Antisocial personality disorder/conduct disorder

Cognitive risk factors

  • Rigid cognitive structure
  • Poor coping skills
  • Limited problem-solving ability
  • Learning disability
  • External locus of control
  • Inability to envision a future
  • Perfectionism

Environmental risk factors

  • Family dysfunction, including:
    • High Ievels of conflict
    • Parental alcoholism or substance abuse
    • Physical or sexual abuse
    • High levels of medical or psychiatric problems
    • Suicide within the family
  • Social isolation
  • Poor peer relationships
  • High school graduation with no ability to foresee or plan for a future

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