The Adolescent Attitude Survey (AAS) was developed and administered to 214 sixth and eighth graders, 79 from the Chicago (Illinois) Public Schools and 135 from a Chicago magnet school where subjects were more academically oriented and homogeneous. The instrument assessed the subjects' self-image, demographic variables, and factors associated with self-destructive ideation and attempts. Analysis indicated that, compared to magnet school subjects, the public school subjects reported significantly more family conflicts, exposure to suicidal models in the family peer group, depression, suicidal ideation, suicidal threats and attempts, substance abuse, and runaway behavior. Survey responses are seen as being supportive of the hypothesis that there is a significant group of "normal" adolescents who are at risk for self-destructive behaviors in association with a wide range of interpersonal conflicts and life stresses. The significant differences in AAS results betwen the public school and magnet school subejcts are seen as providing support to the hypothesis that such behaviors are differentially effected by the levels of interpersonal stress and conflict experienced by the adolescents. (11 references) (JDD)