Exploring the Family factors associated with Suicide Attempts among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Qualitative Study

Background: Suicides are among the leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults worldwide, including India. Suicide attempts are about 20 times more common than completed suicides. Teenagers and youth who attempt suicide belong to a heterogeneous group. Various biological and psychosocial factors, including family factors, contribute to such behavior. Quality of family functioning and relationships may act as an important contextual factor in deciding suicidal behavior. Hence, this study was done to explore the family factors contributing to suicide attempts. Methods: Qualitative exploratory study design and purposive sampling were used. Data were collected from 22 adolescents and young adults using an in-depth interview method. All audio recordings were transcribed in Malayalam, and then translated to English. Codes were developed using the qualitative data analysis software. Thematic analysis was done. Themes and relationships were identified and synthesized to a framework that represents the summary of the data. Results: Most of the participants perceived the home environment as hostile. Problems within the family included parental conflicts and separation, conflict with a sibling or other members of the family, and marital disharmony. Most of them perceived low family support. Socioeconomic factors such as financial issues, superstitious beliefs, disturbing neighborhoods, interpersonal issues, and the stigma of having a mental illness, in a family member, were also noted. Conclusion: Hostile family environment, faulty interactions between family members, and lack of perceived family support may contribute to suicidal behavior among adolescents and young adults. Hence, it is imperative to consider these factors while treating them or planning any suicide prevention program for them.

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The Family Environment in Early Life and Aggressive Behavior in Adolescents and Young Adults

Neurobiology of Aggression ◽

10.1385/1-59259-382-8:213 ◽

2003 ◽

pp. 213-229 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Sven Barnow ◽

Harald-J. Freyberger

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Aggressive Behavior ◽

Family Environment ◽

Early Life ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

The Family

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Epidemiological Trends in Attempted Suicide in Adolescents and Young Adults Between 1996 and 2004

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910.30.3.115 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 115-119 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Stephanie De Munck ◽

Gwendolyn Portzky ◽

Kees Van Heeringen

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Attempted Suicide ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

University Hospital ◽

International Studies ◽

Suicide Attempters ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Epidemiological Trends

Background: Notwithstanding the epidemiological studies indicating an increased risk of attempted suicide among adolescents and young adults, there is a scarcity of international studies that examine long-term epidemiological trends in rates and characteristics of this vulnerable group. Aims: This article describes the results of a 9-year monitoring study of suicide attempts in adolescents and young adults referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Gent University Hospital (Belgium). Methods: Between January 1996 and December 2004, trends, sociodemographic, and methodrelated characteristics of suicide attempts were assessed by a psychiatrist on data sheets. Results: Attempted suicide rates declined from 1996 to 2001 and then rose until 2004, but did not exceed previous rates. During the 9 years of monitoring, there was a preponderance of female suicide attempters, except for 1997. Rates of attempts and of fatal suicide were negatively correlated. Significantly more males than females deliberately injured themselves. Younger attempters, especially females, significantly more often poisoned themselves with analgesics. In nearly one in five attempts, alcohol was used in combination with other methods, and alcohol intake was more commonly observed in older suicide attempters. Nearly half of the adolescents were identified as repeaters. Conclusions: The results of this study warrant further monitoring of trends and characteristics of young suicide attempters.

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Risk of suicide attempts in adolescents and young adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a nationwide longitudinal study

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.2018.8 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 212 (4) ◽

pp. 234-238 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Kai-Lin Huang ◽

Han-Ting Wei ◽

Ju-Wei Hsu ◽

Ya-Mei Bai ◽

Tung-Ping Su ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽

Young Adults ◽

Risk Factor ◽

Suicide Attempt ◽

Attention Deficit ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Population Based ◽

Hazard Ratio ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Hyperactivity Disorder

BackgroundAttention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the risk of suicidal behaviours through psychiatric comorbidities; however, a significant direct association has not been observed between ADHD and suicide attempts.AimsTo evaluate the risk of suicide attempt in adolescents and young adults with ADHD.MethodUsing a nationwide, population-based insurance claims database, this longitudinal cohort study enrolled 20 574 adolescents and young adults with ADHD and 61 722 age- and gender-matched controls between 2001 and 2009. Any suicide attempt was identified from enrolment to 31 December 2011. The association between ADHD medications and the likelihood of suicide attempt was assessed.ResultsADHD was an independent risk factor for any suicide attempt (hazard ratio = 3.84, 95% CI = 3.19–4.62) and repeated suicide attempts (hazard ratio = 6.52, 95% CI = 4.46–9.53). Subgroup analyses of men, women, adolescents and young adults demonstrated the same trend. Methylphenidate or atomoxetine treatment did not increase the risk of suicide attempt or repeated suicide attempts. Long-term methylphenidate treatment was associated with a significantly decreased risk of repeated suicide attempts in men (hazard ratio = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.22–0.97).ConclusionADHD was a risk factor for suicide attempt and a stronger predictor of repeated suicide attempts, independent of comorbidities. Further investigation is warranted to explore the mechanism underlying the association between ADHD and suicidal behaviours.Declaration of interestNone.

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Family Support as a right of the child

Social Work and Social Sciences Review ◽

10.1921/swssr.v21i2.1417 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 8-26 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Patrick Dolan ◽

Nevenca Zegarac ◽

Jelena Arsic

Keyword(s):

Family Support ◽

Family Environment ◽

Well Being ◽

Children's Rights ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Children’S Rights ◽

Legal Standards ◽

Rights Of The Child ◽

The Family ◽

The Relationship

This paper considers Family Support as a fundamental right of the child. It examines the relationship between the well-being of the child as the core concept of contemporary legal and welfare systems and family as a vital institution in society for the protection, development and ensuring the overall well-being of the child. Considering the fact that international legal standards recognise that children’s rights are best met in the family environment, the paper analyses what kind of support is being provided to families by the modern societies in the exercising of children’s rights and with what rhetoric and outcomes. Family Support is also considered as a specific, theoretically grounded and empirically tested practical approach to exercising and protecting the rights of the child. Finally, international legal standards are observed in the context of contemporary theory and practice of Family Support, while the conclusion provides the implications of such an approach.

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Review for "Non‐suicidal self‐injury and its co‐occurrence with suicidal behavior: A epidemiological‐study among adolescents and young adults"

10.1111/acps.13237/v2/review2 ◽

2020 ◽

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Epidemiological Study ◽

Suicidal Behavior ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Self Injury

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The Current Age of Youthful Melancholia

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.152.1.4 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 152 (1) ◽

pp. 4-14 ◽

Cited By ~ 122

Author(s):

Gerald L. Klerman

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

World War Ii ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Cohort Effect ◽

Secular Trends ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Statistical Methodology ◽

World War ◽

Gene Environment ◽

Epidemiological Surveys

The possibility of a rise in rates of depression among adolescents and young adults was first reported in the 1970s. Particular note was taken of the emergence of childhood depression and the increase in suicide attempts and death among adolescents and young adults. Data from large-sample family studies and community epidemiological surveys have been reviewed and reanalysed, using life-table statistical methodology. Evidence for secular trends are presented, and the problems of disentangling period and cohort effect are discussed. It appears that the ‘baby boomers' -those born in the years after World War II- have had increased rates of depression and other related illnesses, including drug abuse and alcoholism. The theoretical aspects of this are discussed, particularly for gene-environment interactions.

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Impulsive-aggressive traits and suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults with alcoholism

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh.2006.18.1.15 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Juan J Carballo ◽

Maria A Oquendo ◽

Lucas Giner ◽

Gil Zalsman ◽

Ansley Μ Roche ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Suicidal Behavior ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults

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The Psychological State of Family Members Who Have Experienced Various Forms of Suicide of a Loved One (Single Attempt, Chronic Suicide, Completed Suicide)

Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy ◽

10.17759/cpp.2018260105 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (1) ◽

pp. 56-75 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

E.V. Borisonik ◽

A.B. Kholmogorova

Keyword(s):

Suicide Attempt ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Suicidal Behavior ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Family System ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological State ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Completed Suicide ◽

The Family

The suicidal behavior of a member of a family influences the emotional well-being of his/her relatives. This paper presents the results of a pilot study of emotional well-being, coping strategies and characteristics of the family system among relatives of persons with suicidal behavior. The study involved 40 people, the total sample was divided into three subgroups: relatives of patients who survived the first suicide attempt (n = 16); relatives of patients after multiple suicide attempts (n = 10); relatives of persons who committed suicide (n = 14). In the first part of the study, the symptoms of emotional distress were analyzed for the entire sample. Relatives of people with different forms of suicidal behavior are at risk of depression: two-thirds of the combined sample showed increased symptoms of depression. The coping strategies of positive redefinition and personal growth are negatively correlated with symptoms of depression. In the second part of the study, we analyzed differences between subgroups. The severity of the symptoms of depression is significantly higher in the subgroup of relatives of people with completed suicide compared to relatives of those who survived a single suicide attempt, the indicators of hardiness and cohesion of the family system are lower in the families of people with multiple suicide attempts compared to other forms of suicidal behavior.

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