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The prevalence of suicidal behavior among preadolescent children who are psychiatric inpatients
Author(s) -
Milling L.,
Campbell N.,
Laughlin A.,
Bush E.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1994.tb01505.x
Subject(s) - psychiatry , socioeconomic status , suicidal behavior , poison control , injury prevention , suicide prevention , population , psychology , clinical psychology , human factors and ergonomics , medicine , occupational safety and health , medical emergency , environmental health , pathology
The prevalence of suicidal behavior displayed by preadolescent children hospitalized on inpatient psychiatric units is estimated to range between 18% and 80% of the population. The current study provides an independent estimate of the prevalence of this problem. A semistructured interview was used to assess suicidal behavior displayed by 61 admissions to a child psychiatric inpatient unit between April 1988 and September 1989. According to the Pfeffer Spectrum of Suicidal Behavior Scale, 63% of the sample engaged in some form of suicidal behavior. Preadolescents and their parents reported similar rates of suicidal thoughts, threats and attempts. The dangerousness of recent suicidal behavior was not found to differ by age, sex, legal custody status or socioeconomic status.