Particularities of suicide attempts in late adolescence in Tunisia

INTRODUCTION: Suicide attempts in late adolescence deserves special attention. Identifying particularities of suicidal behavior in this age group seems important in order to detect suicidal ideations. OBJECTIVES: Describe the characteristics of suicide attempts in late adolescence among hospitalized patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective descriptive study that was conducted in our psychiatry department in Razi Hospital, Tunisia. It focused on a population of Tunisian adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years old and who were hospitalized after a suicide attempt between January, 1st 2010 and November,15th 2018.We used a pre-established questionnaire that explored the sociodemographic and clinical data of patients. RESULTS: Thirty adolescents were included. Twenty-three of them (77%) were female. Mean age of suicidal adolescents was 16.5 years. They were mostly living with their families (80%). Intentional drug ingestion was reported in 56% of cases. Half of the adolescents were indifferent regard the suicide attempt. Conflictual family environment was reported to be a triggering factor of the suicidal thoughts in 60% of cases, and romantic breakup in 20% of cases. In fact, these adolescents were diagnosed with adjustment disorder with depressed mood in 47% of them and depression (28%).Adolescent suicide attempts were correlated with a conflictual family environment (p=0.04) and the presence of academic difficulties (p<10-3). CONCLUSIONS: Family dysfunction and conflictual environment are predictors of suicide risk in the late adolescence. Prevention strategies should be reviewed and focus more on these factors. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.