Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts Among Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatients in Finland

Background: The aim was to study the prevalence of, and factors associated with, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among child and adolescent inpatients during hospital treatment.

Methods: The target group included all the child and adolescent psychiatric inpatients (n=504) in Finland on a chosen day. Suicidality was determined by the psychiatrist responsible for the inpatient treatment, using a questionnaire also exploring demographic, diagnostic, and treatment characteristics, as well as traumatic events of the patient.

Results: The rate of suicidal ideation was 37.6%, and suicide attempts 10.8%. The factors independently associated with suicidal ideation in multivariate analysis were the following: being affected by open adult sexual behaviour (OR 3.2), having depression (OR 2.5) or conduct disorder (OR 2.4) diagnosis, and manifesting violent acts (OR 2.4). The factors independently associated with suicide attempts were: manifesting violent acts (OR 8.1), having depression diagnosis (OR 5.3), being affected by open adult sexual behaviour (OR 4.9), involuntary treatment (OR 4.7), and being of the female sex (OR 3.7). Suicidal ideation was particularly prevalent among boy patients having conduct disorders, manifesting violent acts, and belonging to the age group under 13 years old. Suicide attempts were particularly prevalent among depressive adolescent girl patients.

Limitations: Suicidality was based solely on the clinician's evaluation.

Conclusions: Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts are common among child and adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Particular attention should be directed to inpatients who manifest violent acts or have depressive disorder.