Family Factors Related to Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents

Abstract

Objective: This research aims to investigate what type of family patterns (specifically attachment, bonding and family functioning) and stressful life events can trigger or protect adolescents from developing suicidal behavior. Methods: For these purposes, a case-control study (adolescents with suicidal behavior vs. paired adolescents with no suicidal behavior) was conducted with one hundred 12 to 17-year-old adolescents (50 controls, 50 cases, 74% females), assessed between 2018 and 2020. Results: Negligent (p < 0.001) or affection-less control bonding (p < 0.001), insecure attachment (p = 0.001) and stressful life events (p < 0.001) revealed to be significant risk factors for suicidal behavior. On the contrary, parents’ care (p < 0.001) and security (p < 0.001) were revealed as protective factors for suicidal behavior. Conclusions: Considering these results, family interventions and improving coping skills seem to be two essential targets for any suicide prevention intervention in adolescents.

Traditional, cyberbullying, and suicidal behaviors in Argentinian adolescents: the protective role of school, parental, and peer connectedness

“…Another important finding of the present study was the moderating effect of parent-child connectedness on the association between bullying and suicidal behaviors among school-going Argentinian adolescents. A study on family factors related to suicidal behavior in adolescents found that insecure attachment and rigid or negligent relationships between parents and children were associated with bullying and cyberbullying, which in turn were risk factors for suicidal behavior ( 36 ). Insecure attachment, resulting from parenting that is inattentive and unsupportive, can lead to children perceiving themselves as unlovable and others as harsh, and it has been correlated with a lack of interpersonal sensitivity and heightened aggression ( 36 , 37 ).…”

“…A study on family factors related to suicidal behavior in adolescents found that insecure attachment and rigid or negligent relationships between parents and children were associated with bullying and cyberbullying, which in turn were risk factors for suicidal behavior ( 36 ). Insecure attachment, resulting from parenting that is inattentive and unsupportive, can lead to children perceiving themselves as unlovable and others as harsh, and it has been correlated with a lack of interpersonal sensitivity and heightened aggression ( 36 , 37 ). Additionally, parental styles of rejection and indifference and the non-disclosure of bullying and suicidal ideation.…”

Family Conflict and Suicidal Behaviour in Adolescence: The Mediating Role of the Assertive Interpersonal Schema

“…Several studies have highlighted the importance of considering the influence of family on suicidal behaviour in adolescents [22] as well as its influence on other problematic behaviours, such as alcohol [59], tobacco (traditional and electronic cigarettes) [60], and cannabis use [61]. Suicidal behaviour has also been associated with emerging problems, such as problematic internet use, in which the role of the family through parental control is particularly important [62].…”

“…Understanding suicidal behaviour in adolescence requires us to consider the quality of parent-child relationships [22]. Family conflict is one of the most widely studied topics [23] since it is associated with a higher likelihood of suicidal ideation [24] and has been found to be one of the most consistent, robust factors related to suicidality and other behavioural problems during adolescence [25,26].…”

“…For instance, a study [42] found that family conflict was associated with a higher suicide risk and that depressive symptomatology mediated this relationship in a residential sample of adolescents and young adults. In addition, a recent study [22] suggested that variables, such as impulsivity, behavioural patterns, and social information processing, mediate the relationship between family conflict and suicidal ideation and attempts. However, despite the existing research highlighting the importance of studying the mediating variables between family conflict and suicide-related variables, to our knowledge, no studies have explored the role of the assertive interpersonal schema in this relationship.…”