Psychopathology and Its Relationship to Suicidal Ideation in Childhood and Adolescence

A sample of 231 children referred for psychiatric treatment were assessed with structured diagnostic instrument, the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC). A hierarchy of suicidal ideation from nonspecific ideation to suicidal behavior was empirically derived. Both the symptoms and syndrome of depression were correlated with the severity of suicidality, but there was considerable overlap between categories. Parents and their children showed low agreement, but high internal consistency for ratings of suicidality. The continuity between suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior is explored. These findings are compared to those of others in the literature, and implications for further research are discussed.