Family Interaction and Adolescent Suicidal Behavior: A Preliminary Investigation

Data from family interaction research was used to formulate hypotheses about the relationship between adolescent suicidal behavior & family functioning. This was tested through observation of interactions within 12 intact family tetrads (6 normal & 6 with an adolescent female who had exhibited suicidal behavior). The interaction of families with suicidal adolescents demonstrated less effective communication, specificity adaptive interaction, as well as higher rates of conflict.