Predicting Suicide Risks Among Outpatient Adolescents Using the Family Environment Scale: Implications for Practice and Research

Abstract

This study was designed to identify characteristics of family functioning that relate to suicide potential in an outpatient adolescent population. Participants included 51 adolescents between the ages of 14 and 18 who were involved in outpatient counselling. The Family Environment Scale and the Suicide Probability Scale were used to assess adolescents' perception of family social climate and degree of suicide risk respectively. Results revealed significant correlations between suicide risk and family systems characterized by heightened conflict and lower levels of cohesion, independence, and organization. A stepwise multiple regression analysis suggested that organization (related to clarity and structure in family activities and responsibilities) was the strongest predictor of suicide risk. Implications for research and practice are considered.

Resilience Despite Complex Trauma: Family Environment and Family Cohesion as Protective Factors

“…The current study utilized the total score of the FES as well as the Cohesion subscale. Internal consistency has ranged from .61 to .78, while test–retest reliability ranged from .68 to .86 (Lucey & Lam, 2012; Moos & Moos, 1994). Strong convergent validity was found when utilizing the FES (Moos & Moos, 2009) for families where alcoholism was present (Sanford et al, 1999).…”

“…Low levels of cohesion in families are associated with higher conflict and psychological problems (Daniels & Moos, 1990; Jaycox & Repetti, 1993; Kleinman et al, 1989; Uruk et al, 2007). Meanwhile, a negative family environment is correlated to conflict, deficient in warmth and nurture, impeding development (Lucey & Lam, 2012; Walsh, 2003). Conversely, strong family environment is correlated with supportive family relationships, acceptance, and security (Lucey & Lam, 2012; Negy & Snyder, 2006), while family cohesion is also tied to a strong personal identity.…”

“…Meanwhile, a negative family environment is correlated to conflict, deficient in warmth and nurture, impeding development (Lucey & Lam, 2012; Walsh, 2003). Conversely, strong family environment is correlated with supportive family relationships, acceptance, and security (Lucey & Lam, 2012; Negy & Snyder, 2006), while family cohesion is also tied to a strong personal identity. A previous study suggested that refugee families forced to separate experience high emotional stress and grief from losing group membership (Rousseau et al, 2001; Uruk et al, 2007).…”

The Family System Amidst Complex Trauma: A Driving Force to Enhance Resilience and Reduce Depression in Young Adults

“…The ability to address trauma experienced within a family system could be due to family cohesion, as the families may have the tools to effectively communicate and higher comfort levels with each other to address difficult topics. Robbins et al (2018) found that aspects of family environment, namely levels of attachment-related maternal avoidance and paternal anxiety negatively predicted resilience in their sample. This showed how young adults may exhibit greater or lesser resilience in the aftermath of enduring stressful life events dependent on their level of attachment to their parent/caregiver during childhood.…”

“…When analyzing data, we focused on the entire FES as well as the cohesion subscale. The test-retest reliability for the FES was .68-.86, and internal consistency ranging .61-.78 (Lucey & Lam, 2012;Moos & Moos, 1994). When used with a sample who experienced alcoholism in a family system, there was strong convergent validity (Sanford et al, 1999).…”