Stress And Coping in Adolescents: The Effects of Family Configuration and Environment on Suicidality

Abstract

Research examining the relationship between family disruption and suicidal behavior is integrated into a stress and coping conceptual framework. The number of suicides, unsuccessful attempts, and suicidal ideation is apparently on the rise and represents a major concern. In the last decade, the adolescent suicide rate in Quebec has doubled, and continues to be well above the national average. Parental conflict and divorce are acknowledged as important factors that may increase psychological vulnerability during the developmental phase of adolescence, consequently augmenting the risk of suicidality. Suicidal behavior during adolescence is a concomitant of prolonged and progressive family disruption, inadequate family relationships, and ineffective parent-child interactions. As such, it is not uncommon that the adolescent's psychological and social coping resotcrces are diminished, and feelings of isolation, loss, and hostility toward family members are reported. With respect to coping behaviors, it has been suggested that the adolescent from a dysfunctional home may resort to suicide as a communication system, as other efforts to communicate with family members have been perceived by the youth as ineffective. This article explores the effects of family disruption on suicidality in adolescents and provides recommendations for research and practice in school psychology.