Abstract
This study investigated the most common precipitants of adolescent suicide attempts and the strategies used to cope with such problems. Adolescent suicide attempters were compared with both distressed and nondistressed nonsuicidal adolescents on problems reported and coping strategies utilized. All three groups reported four problems as occurring most frequently: school, parents, friends, or boyfriend/girlfriend. The suicide attempters and distressed controls reported problems with parents more frequently than did nondistressed controls, while this latter group reported problems at school more frequently than did suicide attempters or distressed controls. Suicide attempters used social withdrawal, problem solving, and emotional regulation more than did nondistressed controls, but not more frequently than distressed controls. Distressed controls used wishful thinking and resignation more than did suicide atempters. Results are discussed in terms of the similarities between suicide attempters and nonsuicidal distressed adolescents and the need to more closely investigate specific subgroups of suicide attempters.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Asarnow, J. R., Carlson, G. A., & Guthrie, D. (1987). Coping strategies, self-perceptions, hopelessness, and perceived family environments in depressed and suicidal children.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 361–366.
Cohen-Sandler, R., Berman, A. L., & King, R. A. (1982). Life stress and symptomatology: Determinants of suicidal behavior in children.Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 21, 178–186.
Curran, D. K. (1987).Adolescent suicidal behavior. Washington, DC: Hemisphere.
Hawton, K., O'Grady, J., Osborn, M., & Cole, D. (1982). Adolescents who take overdoses: Their characteristics, problems and contacts with helping agencies.British Journal of Psychiatry, 140, 118–123.
Jacobs, J. (1971).Adolescent suicide. New York: Wiley-Interscience.
Levenson, M., & Neuringer, C. (1971). Problem-solving behavior in suicidal adolescents.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 37, 433–436.
McLeavey, B. C., Daly, R. J., Murray, C. M., O'Riordan, J., & Taylor, M. (1987). Interpersonal problem-solving deficits in self-poisoning patients.Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 17, 33–49.
Schotte, D. E., & Clum, G. A. (1987). Problem-solving skills in suicidal psychiatric patients.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 49–54.
Shaffer, D. (1982). Diagnostic considerations in suicidal behavior in children and adolescents.Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 21, 414–416.
Spirito, A., Faust, D., Myers, B. A., & Bechtel, D. (1988). Utility of the MMPI with adolescent suicide attempters.Journal of Personality Assessment, 52, 204–211.
Spirito, A., Stark, L. J., Fristad, M., Hart, K., & Owens-Stively, J. (1987). Adolescent suicide attempters hospitalized on a pediatric floor.Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 12, 171–189.
Spirito, A., Stark, L. J., & Williams, C. (1988). Development of a brief checklist to assess coping in pediatric populations.Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 13, 555–574.
Thoits, P. A. (1983). Dimensions of life events that influence psychological distress: An evaluation and synthesis of the literature. In H. B. Kaplan (Ed.),Psychosocial stress: Trends in theory and research (pp. 33–103). New York: Academic Press.
Tishler, C. C., McKenry, P. C., & Morgan, K. C. (1981). Adolescent suicide attempts: Some significant factors.Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 11, 86–92.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Spirito, A., Overholser, J. & Stark, L.J. Common problems and coping strategies II: Findings with adolescent suicide attempters. J Abnorm Child Psychol 17, 213–221 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00913795
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00913795