FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ADOLESCENT SUICIDAL ATTEMPTS IN GREECE

The cultural characteristics of a population may affect the relevant importance of the various factors involved in suicidal attemps. This study investigated the factors which led Greek adolescents to such attempts. Family disruption was significantly greater in the attempters than in the control subjects. However, parental restriction of the youngsters' personal freedom emerged as the major factor resulting in suicide attempts. It was reported by 55% of the attempters and only by 17% of the control subjects. In 48% of the attempters, restriction of freedom was the reason for quarrels and strained relationship between them and their parents. Psychiatric disorders were significantly more frequent in the attempters (57%) than in the control subjects (3%). Youngsters with multiple attempts (41% of the cases) were more frequently associated with psychiatric disorders than youngsters with one attempt. The findings indicate that suppression of personal freedom by the parents is a major risk factor for suicidal attempts in Greek adolescent girls.