Caregiver Strain and Youth Suicide Attempt: are They Related?

There are scant data documenting the relationship between caregiver strain and suicidal behavior among youth. This study includes data from the caregivers of 1,854 youth who received services through the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program. Caregiver strain, family functioning, and youth functional impairment were assessed with the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire, Family Life Questionnaire, and Columbia Impairment Scale. Caregivers of suicidal and nonsuicidal youth differed in subjective internalizing strain (e.g., worry and guilt) and objective strain (e.g., constraints on activities). Differences in objective strain persisted even after controlling for family life and youth functional impairment.