Family Determinants of Suicide Potential (IN: Identifying Suicide Potential, ed. by D B Anderson and L J McLean)

A study consisting of a series of individual and family interviews with suicidal persons and their relatives, and a comparison of the interaction with a psychiatric control group, provides evidence of a pattern of family suicide potential. 14 characteristic aspects of families with suicidal problems are discussed. From the perspective of the suicidal family system, the suicidal gesture communicates the need for changing a poorly functioning system of family relationships.(LH)