Anxiety contributes to suicidality in depressed adolescents.
Several studies have suggested a positive association between anxiety symptoms and suicidality in adults. However, relatively little is known about this topic in adolescents. To investigate this issue, we examined a group of adolescents admitted to our psychiatric inpatient unit. Fifty-six adolescents (mean age = 14.8 +/- 1.4; females = 34, males = 22; race = 95% Caucasians) participated in the study. Diagnoses were made using the DSM-III-R criteria and a diagnostic interview. Anxiety was found to significantly correlate with depression (r = .60; P = < .05) and suicidality (r = .72; P < .05). A multiple regression analysis revealed that anxiety and depression together accounted for more than half (55%) of the variance in suicidal ideation [F(2,46) = 28.4; P < .0001]. In addition, anxiety had an independent ability to predict suicidality (t = 5.01; P < .0001). Self-rated but not clinician-rated suicidality was positively correlated with both anxiety and depression. Clinical and research implications of these findings are discussed.
Ghaziuddin
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Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. Neerag@umich.edu
King
C A
CA
Naylor
M W
MW
Ghaziuddin
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*