Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-8bhkd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-11T05:26:49.806Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Adolescent parasuicide in the Foyle area

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Mark Davies  and
Gerry Cunningham
Mark Davies
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, The Queens University of Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland.
Gerry Cunningham
Affiliation:
Foyle Trust, Old Railway Station, Duke Street, Derry, BT47 1DH, Northern Ireland.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives: Renewed scientific and media interest in suicidal behaviour has resulted in a number of initiatives examining and defining this complex and tragic phenomenon. However, in comparison to the study of adult suicidal behaviour, that of adolescents is still under researched. This study aimed to identify the extent and nature of parasuicide in young people under 17 years of age in the Foyle area in the 28 month period up to and including April 1997.

Method: The psychiatric assessments of all those admitted to hospital as the result of parasuicide during this period were examined. A psychosocial and clinical profile of this group of young people was then constructed. Any reported stressors recorded in the assessments were noted, and an attempt was made to ‘track’ contact with helping agencies in each case during the months immediately before and after admission.

Results: One hundred and twenty four young people were admitted during the period under review, the vast majority following an overdose.

Conclusions: Family conflict, family illness and bullying were the three most frequently recorded stressors. Twothirds had no apparent contact with services in the three months prior to admission, and of these, half were not referred on to specialist services after they had been discharged from hospital.

Keywords

AdolescenceYoung peopleSuicidal behaviourParasuicideDeliberate self-harm
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 16 , Issue 1 , March 1999 , pp. 9 - 12
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Diekstra, RESuicide and attempted suicide: an international perspective. Acta Psych Scand 1989; (suppl)371: 1–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2.Hawton, K, Fagg, J. Trends in deliberate self-poisoning and self-injury in Oxford, 1976-1990. BMJ 1992: 304; 1409–11.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3.Piatt, S, Hawton, K, Kreitman, N, et al.Recent clinical and epidemiological trends in parasuicide in Edinburgh and Oxford: a tale of two cities. Psychol Med 1988: 18; 405–18.Google Scholar
4.Patton, GC, Harris, R, Carlin, JB, et al.Adolescent suicidal behaviours: a population based risk study. Psychol Med 1997: 27: 715–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5.McDonald, Culp A, et al.Adolescent depressed mood, reports of suicide attempts and asking for help. Adolescence 1995: 30; 827–37.Google Scholar
6.Piatt, S, Micciolo, R, Tansella, M. Suicide and unemployment in Italy: a description, analysis and interpretation of recent trends. Soc Sci Med 1992: 34; 1191–201.Google Scholar
7.Marris, RW. The relationship of non-fatal suicide attempts to completed suicides. In: Marris, RW, Berman, AL, Maltsberger, JT, Yufit, RI (eds). Assessment and prediction of suicide. Guildford Press: New York, 1992.Google Scholar