The Moderating Effects of Parenting Styles on African-American and Caucasian Children’s Suicidal Behaviors

The moderating effects of parenting styles on depressed & aggressive children’s suicidal behaviour, including ideation & attempts, were evaluated in 172 children, 6-12 years of age, admitted for acute psychiatric inpatient care. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that, controlling for age & gender, children who endorsed more depressive symptoms or reactive aggression reported more current & past suicidal behaviour than children who endorsed fewer depressive or aggressive symptoms. The significant positive relationship between depressive symptoms & childhood suicidal behaviour was attentuated by authoritarian parenting practices for African-American & older children but not for younger & Caucasian children. (54 refs.) JA