Les idées suicidaires chez les enfants de six ans : leur réalité et leur expression au test de Rorschach

The assessment of suicidal ideation among children under 7 raises theoretical and clinical problems. It is supposed that the development of suicidal ideas needs the mastery of a mature concept of death. Moreover, Rorschach suicidal indices are comprised of rather complex responses. Are younger children really able to have suicidal ideas and express them in the Rorschach? Data from eight children under 7 suggest that (1) immature concept of death can exist together with a strong intention of dye and precise representation of a modus operandi; (2) the Rorschach expression of suicidal ideation of children under 7 is comprised of high frequency of achromatic color responses (C' > 5).