NCJ Number
125324
Date Published
1989
Length
274 pages
Annotation
This analysis of risk factors related to youth suicide gathered information from research literature regarding the biochemical, psychological, and social factors most clearly linked to the problem and from a 1988 conference that discussed the research.
Abstract
Findings showed that risk factors include chronic or acute substance abuse, certain psychiatric disorders, parental loss and family disruption, and family characteristics including genetic traits and the effects of role modeling. Other factors include low concentrations of a serotonin metabolite and a dopamine metabolite, homosexuality, being a friend or family member of a suicide victim, rapid sociocultural change, a history of previous suicidal behavior, impulsiveness and aggressiveness, media emphasis on suicide and ready access to guns or other lethal methods. Results indicated the need for further research, reporting systems, valid mental health assessment instruments for youth, targeted prevention and intervention services, and avoidance of sensationalized or romanticized reporting in media coverage of suicide. Figures, tables, and chapter notes.