Childhood suicidal behavior. A developmental perspective.

This article provides an overview of the sociocultural and psychosocial features and implications for treatment of prepubertal suicidal children. It provides cross-sectional and longitudinal information about specific risk factors of prepubertal suicidal behavior with a focus on how these factors also predict future suicidal behavior. A developmental focus addresses issues of cognitive and emotional immaturity as related to early onset suicidal behavior.