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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 11/2005

01-11-2005 | Original Paper

Suicide among adolescents

A psychological autopsy study of psychiatric, psychosocial and personality-related risk factors

Authors: Gwendolyn Portzky, Kurt Audenaert, Kees van Heeringen

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 11/2005

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Abstract

Background

The suicide rate among young males in Belgium has doubled over the last decade. As more knowledge about risk factors is required to develop national prevention strategies, we investigated adolescent suicides using the psychological autopsy method.

Methods

A total of 32 informants were interviewed regarding 19 suicide cases (aged 15–19). A semi-structured interview schedule, constructed by Houston et al. (J Affect Disord 63:159–170, 2001), was used.

Results

All adolescents were suffering from one or more mental disorder(s) at the time of their death, and almost half of them were diagnosed with personality disorders. Adjustment disorders were diagnosed in one fifth of the sample, which appears to be relevant in view of the multiple life events and other psychosocial problems which adolescents were facing shortly before death. This suggests that difficulties in coping with stressful psychosocial problems are important in the course of the suicidal process. Only a small minority was receiving treatment for their disorders.

Conclusions

Mental disorders, commonly untreated and combined with personality disorders and psychosocial problems, are frequently found in young suicide victims. This study suggests that education in the diagnosis and treatment of depression, adjustment disorders and suicide is important in the prevention of suicide.
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Metadata
Title
Suicide among adolescents
A psychological autopsy study of psychiatric, psychosocial and personality-related risk factors
Authors
Gwendolyn Portzky
Kurt Audenaert
Kees van Heeringen
Publication date
01-11-2005
Publisher
Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 11/2005
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-005-0977-x

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