title: Perceived family functioning and adolescent suicidal behavior.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Family problems increase the risk of adolescent suicidal behavior, but the specific dimensions of family functioning related to adolescent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts have not been identified clearly. This study examined the relationship between family functioning and adolescent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Participating adolescents included psychiatric inpatients who had attempted suicide (n = 35), high school students reporting suicidal ideation (n = 33), nonsuicidal psychiatric inpatients (n = 29), and nonsuicidal high school students (n = 37).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Family Assessment Measure was used to assess adolescents' perceptions of family functioning on two levels: (1) the family system and (2) parent-adolescent dyadic relationships.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The suicidal psychiatric inpatients and the suicidal high school students did not differ in their perceptions of family functioning and mother-adolescent relationships. However, both suicide groups reported more distress and family dysfunction than did the nonsuicidal high school students. Perceived family functioning and mother-adolescent relationships were significantly correlated with levels of depression, hopelessness, and self-esteem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family functioning is important to consider when assessing and treating adolescents for suicidal behavior.
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7123.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Overholser
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lehnert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015897:Comorbidity; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010555:Personality Inventory; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention