[Adolescents after suicidal attempts. Sociological characteristics].

Adolescents are thought to be one of the high risk groups for suicidal behaviours. About 400 persons till 20 years old commit suicide every year, and from 10 to 20 times more suicide attempts. The paper discusses differences in sociological profiles of youngsters after suicidal attempts and those who never had suicidal attempts. There were several factors in the scope of interest as: sociodemo-graphic characteristics, family structure, school problems, relationship with peers, history of abusive behaviours of youngsters and their relatives. Some particular elements of suicidal acts (suicidal thoughts, circumstances, events directly preceding the attempts, motives for suicidal attempts) were also described. The study group was comprised of 100 adolescents recruited from consecutive patients presented to the Clinic of Acute Poisonings of the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine between January 2001 and June 2002 due to self-poisoning. The reference group (100 youngsters) was randomly selected from the different types of secondary schools situated in the area of Lodz voivodeship. The data were collected with help of standardized surveys. The results obtained point to some differences between the study group. The groups differ in 24 among 31 analysed variables. The average teenager who attempts suicide is a 17 year old girl, living in a big city with a full family (not necessarily biological) who was faced with relational and school problems, and affected by abusive behaviour. Sociological characteristics of individuals attempting suicide together with precise diagnosis of risk factors and risk groups is the important step toward the effective prevention of suicide behaviour. Suicidal behaviour appears to be a significant public health problem, and suicide prevention itself should be the essential component of each mental health promotion program.