Association of Child Placement in Out-of-Home Care With Trajectories of Hospitalization Because of Suicide Attempts From Early to Late Adulthood

Key Points Question How are childhood experiences of placement in out-of-home care associated with trajectories of hospitalization because of suicide attempts from early into late adulthood? Findings In this cohort study of 14 559 individuals, individuals were grouped into 4 trajectories with differential onset of suicide attempts across adulthood. Childhood experiences of placement in out-of-home care were associated with increased risks of following each of these trajectories. Meaning The elevated risk of suicide attempts among former child welfare clients persists into young adulthood, indicating the necessity for clinical attention to childhood experiences of out-of-home care as a risk marker for suicidal behavior across the life span.