Pair suicides in adolescence

Context and relevance. A suicide pact is an agreement between two or more individuals to die by suicide together. Although rare, in recent years there has been an increase in the number of double suicides among adolescents and minors. Objective. To identify the clinical and socio-psychological characteristics of adolescents who have committed or planned to commit a paired suicide, and to describe the dynamics of the suicidal crisis. Hypothesis. The development of suicidal behavior in cases of paired suicides follows its own trajectory and occurs within the context of specific interpersonal interactions between the partners involved in the suicide pact. Methods and materials. A retrospective study was conducted on 9 cases of adolescent suicide pacts and 5 cases of single suicides, who intended to carry out a paired suicide. Descriptive statistics and qualitative methods were used for data analysis. Results. The clinical, social, and psychological characteristics of minor suicide victims involved in suicide pacts are presented. The potentially harmful role of the Internet in facilitating or influencing suicidal behavior is noted. The dynamics of suicidal behavior in the context of interpersonal interactions within a suicide pact are described. Conclusions. The findings may contribute to a deeper understanding of the phenomenon of paired suicides among adolescents. It holds important implications for prevention efforts.