title: Suicidal ideation and self-harm behavior in a community sample of preadolescent youth: a case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research has focused on understanding risk factors associated with suicidal ideation and self-harm behaviors in older youth, but less is known regarding these behaviors in preadolescents. We examined characteristics associated with suicidal ideation and self-harm behavior in youth aged 10-13 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A community sample of 387 youth was enrolled in a prospective study assessing precursors of risk behaviors. Twenty-three subjects endorsing items regarding suicidal ideation or self-harm behaviors (Achenbach's Youth Self-Report) (endorsers) were matched with 23 non-endorsers. Groups were compared on problem behaviors, impulsivity, neurocognitive function, risk behaviors, and other variables.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endorsers had higher levels of impulsivity, were more likely in borderline/clinical range on 5 of 8 Youth Self-Report Syndrome scales, and reported more risk taking. Endorsers and non-endorsers were similar in neurocognitive function. More non-endorsers were on stimulants, but groups were similar in parental monitoring and parental report of behavioral/emotional issues, socioeconomic status, and marital status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, preadolescent endorsers report significantly more problem behaviors than non-endorsers. However, parental monitoring and parent report of problems were similar between groups. Given these findings, we suggest that at-risk youth may be underrecognized at young ages.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 10104, USA. giannetta@email.chop.edu
authors.forename: Mariel M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Giannetta
authors.forename: Laura M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Betancourt
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Brodsky
authors.forename: Matthew B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Wintersteen
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Romer
authors.forename: Joan M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Giannetta
authors.forename: Hallam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hurt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires