First published in 1987. This comprehensive book addresses the problem of adolescent suicidal behavior in America today. It devotes a great deal of attention to sublethal acts or suicide attempts, rather than committed suicides. This study establishes a progression that discusses the scope and magnitude of the problem and an exploration of the meaning and reasons for adolescent suicide in the individual case.

David K. Curran Public schools, Shrewsbury; Anna Maria College, Paxton; University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester; Private practice, Worcester; Massachusetts

Chapter 1 Perspectives; Chapter 2 Scope of the Problem in the United States; Chapter 3 Meaning and Reasons: The Balance of Life and Death; Chapter 4 Antecedents of Adolescent Suicidal Behavior; Chapter 5 Postattempt: Human Environment and the Teenage Suicide Attempter; Chapter 6 The Wish and the Reality: Effect of Negative Attitudes on the Adolescent Suicide Attempter; Chapter 7 Familiarity, Modeling, and Imitation: Suicide in the Experience of the Adolescent; Chapter 8 Assessment; Chapter 9 Treatment; Chapter 10 Education and Prevention;