Document Type
Article
Version
Final Published Version
Publication Title
Families in Society
Volume
92
Publication Date
2011
Abstract
Using qualitative data collected from adolescent Latinas and their parents, this article describes ways in which family relationships are organized within low-income Latino families (n = 24) with and without a daughter who attempted suicide. Based on a family-level analysis approach, we present a framework that categorizes relationships as reciprocal, asymmetrical, or detached. Clear differences are identified: Families of nonattempters primarily cluster in reciprocal families, whereas families with an adolescent suicide attempter exhibit characteristics of asymmetrical or detached families. Our results highlight the need for detailed clinical attention to family communication patterns, especially in Latino families. Clinicians may reduce the likelihood of an attempt or repeated attempts by raising mutual, reciprocal exchanges of words and support between parents and daughter.
Citation
Gulbas, L. E., Nolle, A. P., Hausmann-Stabile, C., Kuhlberg, J., Peña, J. B., Zayas, L. H., Baumann, A. A. 2011. Family relationships and Latina teen suicide attempts: Reciprocity, asymmetry, and detachment. Families in Society 92.3: 317-323.
DOI
http://doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.4131