Family Economic Pressure and Adolescent Suicidal Ideation: Application of the Family Stress Model

This study used a sample of 501 families from the Mississippi Delta region to examine the feasibility of the Family Stress Model for understanding adolescent suicidal ideation. The results indicated that family economic pressure was related to parental depressive symptoms, which, in turn, was related to parental hostile behavior and physical abuse. These parental behaviors were related to adolescent self-esteem and depressive symptoms, which, in turn, were related to adolescent suicidal ideation. Therefore, family economic pressure and parental depressive symptoms and behaviors were indirectly related to adolescent suicidal ideation. The results indicate the applicability of the Family Stress Model for understanding adolescent suicidal ideation.