FAMILY FUNCTIONING AND SUICIDAL-BEHAVIOR IN ADOLESCENT INPATIENTS WITH MOOD DISORDERS

Objective: This study was designed to identify family and parental cha racteristics associated with suicidal behavior (active intent, gesture , attempt) among adolescent inpatients with mood disorders. Method: Su bjects were 32 suicidal adolescent inpatients with mood disorders, 32 nonsuicidal adolescent inpatients with mood disorders, and 38 normal c omparison adolescents. A group comparison design was used. Adolescent measures were the Family Assessment Device and two semistructured inte rviews (Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Social Adjustment Invent ory for Children and Adolescents). Parent measures were the Symptom Ch ecklist-90 and the Social Adjustment Scale-Self Report. Results: Fathe rs of suicidal adolescents reported more depression and family unit pr oblems than did fathers of nonsuicidal and normal comparison adolescen ts, even after controlling for adolescents' depression severity. Suici dal adolescents, in turn, reported less active and communicative relat ionships with fathers. Differences among suicidal and nonsuicidal adol escents' perceptions of general family functioning were not significan t after controlling for adolescents' depression severity. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of treating the depressed and poten tially suicidal adolescent within the family system and attending to t he nature and quality of adolescents' relationships with fathers as we ll as with mothers. Findings also highlight interactions between suici dal adolescents' depression severity and their negative perceptions of family functioning.