A population-based survey of the characteristics of high school students with and without a history of suicidal behavior.

In a sample of 570 15- and 16-year-old normal high school students, the characteristics of those with and without a history of suicidal behavior were compared. In a written inquiry, information was obtained on family background, emotional and behavioral problems, sexual and physical abuse and suicidal thoughts and behavior. Differences between the students with and without a history of suicidal behavior were statistically analyzed for boys and girls separately by a matched control design. The results for both boys and girls indicated that the experience of sexual abuse, feelings of loneliness, depressed mood, low self-esteem and the use of drugs were particularly strongly related to suicidal thoughts and behavior; for girls, physical abuse and for boys, low self-reported academic achievement appeared to be clearly related aspects. Furthermore, the strong interrelations between all of these variables is underlined, suggesting a multi-problem background of youngsters with a history of suicidal behavior.