Suicidality in Adolescence: Insights from Self-Reports on Depression and Suicidal Tendencies

Background and Objectives. Suicide represents a primary global health concern, particularly among young individuals aged 15 to 29. Clinicians are actively engaged in efforts to prevent suicide and implement timely interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of self-reported measures in differentiating between adolescents exhibiting suicidal ideation (SI) only and those at risk or with a previous history of suicide attempts (SA). Methods. Seventy-eight adolescent patients (mean age: 15.53 +/- 1.49) were classified into two groups using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Forty-five patients presented with SI but lacked a prior history of SA, while 33 adolescents had a documented history of either concrete or interrupted SA. Notably, all participants in the SA group also reported SI. Participants completed the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (MAST) and the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form (BDI-SF) to assess protective and risk factors associated with suicidality, as well as perceived depression. Results. Attraction toward life (AL) exhibited a negative correlation with perceived depression in both groups, whereas attraction toward death (AD) was positively correlated with depression in the SA group. In the SI group, scores for repulsion by life (RL) demonstrated a positive correlation with depression. Furthermore, RL scores were significantly higher in the SA group. ROC analysis revealed good accuracy for both assessment tools in differentiating the two groups. Conclusions. The BDI-SF and MAST are effective instruments for identifying adolescents at risk for suicide and implementing tailored preventive and therapeutic interventions. The user-friendly nature and adaptability make those self-report measures useful in various settings, allowing administration without clinician involvement.