PARENTAL REPRESENTATION IN SUICIDAL ADOLESCENTS - A CONTROLLED-STUDY

One hundred and eighty-seven adolescents referred to outpatient and re sidential services in three Canadian cities were assessed for lifetime suicidal ideation and attempt, and administered the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Suicidal adolescents of both genders reported lower care and higher over-protection in relation to their mothers than non- suicidal subjects, arid female subjects reported this pattern for thei r fathers as well. Male subjects did not show clear differentiation be tween groups on PBI ratings for their fathers. Mean PBI scores for fem ale subjects indicated subjects with no suicidal ideation, those with suicidal ideation only, and those having made suicide attempts to be o n a continuum, but findings for males did not. The findings extend pre vious reports of higher ''affectionless control'' in suicidal adults, but suggest that this pattern may be stronger in females than males, a nd that maternal influences may be stronger than paternal influences.