Attempted suicide among young people: risk factors in a prospective register based study of Danish children born in 1966

OBJECTIVE: In order to prevent suicidal behaviour among adolescents and young adults it would be valuable to know if altering the conditions of their upbringing could reduce their suicidal behaviour. The study surveys possible risk factors. METHOD: Population-based registers covering children born in Denmark in 1966 at the age span of 14-27 years and their parents for: health, education, family dissolution, suicidal behaviour, substance abuse, criminality and unemployment. A discrete-time proportional hazard modelling was used to analyse the longitudinal observations. RESULTS: First-time suicide attempts were associated with parental psychiatric disorder, suicidal behaviour, violence, child abuse and neglect. Increased risks were also found among adolescents and young adults who suffered from psychiatric disorder or physical handicap, had been legally imprisoned, were addicted to drugs, or without graduation, vocational training or employment. CONCLUSION: Stigmatization, social exclusion, and mental disorders in the adolescents or young adults and parents increased risks for attempted suicide.