Suicidal Behavior of Adolescents with Behavior Disorders and Their Peers without Disabilities

Despite the fact that suicide is a major cause of death among adolescents (Centers for Disease Control, 1986; National Center for Health Science, 1989), the suicidal behavior of adolescents with behavioral/emotional disorders has not been extensively studied. A survey instrument was used to obtain information from adolescents with behavioral/emotional disorders and their peers without disabilities about the frequency of and the rationale behind their suicide ideation and suicide attempts. Significant differences were found between the adolescents with behavioral/emotional disorders and their nondisabled peers, as well as differences between the males and the females in each group in the frequency of suicide ideation and suicide attempts. The female adolescents with behavioral/emotional disorders reported high frequencies in both suicide ideation and suicide attempts. No group or gender differences were found in the rationales offered by the adolescents for suicidal behavior. Implications for teachers, parents, and social service personnel are discussed, including the need for gender-specific suicide prevention and intervention for adolescents with and without behavioral/emotional disorders.