Alcohol consumption in relation to other predictors of suicidality among adolescent inpatient girls.

This study of 54 adolescent inpatient girls examined alcohol consumption in relation to depression severity and family dysfunction as predictors of suicidal ideation and behavior. Although alcohol consumption, depression severity, and family dysfunction were intercorrelated, regression analyses revealed their differential importance to the prediction of self-reported suicidal ideation and severity of clinician-documented suicidal ideation or behavior (none, ideation, intent, gesture, attempt). Self-reported ideation was strongly predicted by depression severity and family dysfunction; severity of clinician-documented suicidal ideation or behavior was predicted by alcohol consumption and family dysfunction. Implications for assessment and treatment are discussed.