Family Dynamics, Hopelessness and Psychiatric Disturbance in Parasuicidal Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: Adolescent parasuicide has often has been associated with family disturbance, hopelessness and psychiatric disturbance, but little empirical work has been done to verify these clinical impressions. METHOD: The present study compares matched groups of hospitalised parasuicidal adolescents, non-psychiatric medically hospitalised adolescents and a control group on measures of family disturbance, hopelessness and psychopathology. RESULTS: The findings reveal significantly higher levels of family disturbance, hopelessness and depressive symptoms in the parasuicidal group. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that prevention and treatment of adolescent parasuicide should focus on both individual and family dynamics.