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Family Factors Predicting Categories of Suicide Risk

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We compared family risk and protective factors among potential high school dropouts with and without suicide-risk behaviors (SRB) and examined the extent to which these factors predict categories of SRB. Subjects were randomly selected from among potential dropouts in 14 high schools. Based upon suicide-risk status, 1,083 potential high school dropouts were defined as belonging to one of four groups; 573 non-suicide risk, 242 low suicide risk, 137 moderate suicide risk and 131 high suicide risk. Results showed significant group differences in all youth self-reported family risk and protective factors. Increased levels of suicide risk were associated with perceived conflict with parents, unmet family goals, and family depression; decreased levels of risk were associated with perceived parental involvement and family support for school. Perceived conflict with parents, family depression, family support satisfaction, and availability of family support for school were the strongest predictors of adolescent SRB. Our findings suggest that suicide vulnerable youth differ from their non-suicidal peers along the dimensions of family risk and protective factors.

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ACKNOWLEGMENTS

This research was supported by grants R01 NR 03548 and R01 NR 03550 from the National Institute on Nursing Research (L. L. Eggert, principal investigator). We are indebted to the high school personnel and the young people whose participation enhanced our understanding of factors contributing to and protecting against suicide risk behaviors and to the dedicated efforts of the clinical and research staff that comprise the Reconnecting Youth Prevention Research team.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Associate Professor, Department of Psychosocial and Community Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Brooke P. Randell D.N.Sc., C.S. & Jerald R. Herting Ph.D.

  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan

    Wen-Ling Wang Ph.D., R.N.

  3. Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychosocial and Community Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Leona L. Eggert Ph.D., R.N. FAAN

  4. University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA, 98195-8732

    Brooke P. Randell D.N.Sc., C.S.

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  1. Brooke P. Randell D.N.Sc., C.S.
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  2. Wen-Ling Wang Ph.D., R.N.
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  3. Jerald R. Herting Ph.D.
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  4. Leona L. Eggert Ph.D., R.N. FAAN
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Correspondence to Brooke P. Randell D.N.Sc., C.S..

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Randell, B.P., Wang, WL., Herting, J.R. et al. Family Factors Predicting Categories of Suicide Risk. J Child Fam Stud 15, 247–262 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-006-9020-6

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