Characterizing Adolescent Disclosures of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior to Parents.
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ABSTRACT: Purpose
Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior (SI/SB) are prevalent among adolescents. Treatment of SI/SB in adolescents relies on their disclosure, yet there is limited research on adolescent SI/SB disclosure experiences. Understanding who they disclose to and how they experience their parents' responses to their disclosures is important, as parents are often involved in adolescent mental health treatment.Methods
The present study characterized adolescent SI/SB disclosures in a sample of psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents, examining to whom they disclosed SI/SB, perceived parental responses to SI/SB disclosures, and what they would prefer their parents did differently in response to SI/SB disclosures.Results
Results indicate that over 50% of youth disclosed their SI/SB directly to their parent and approximately 15%-20% of youth did not disclose their SI/SB to anyone prior to psychiatric hospitalization. Perceived parental responses to disclosures varied, including both validating and invalidating responses.Discussion
Findings have important implications for supporting parents and adolescents in discussing SI/SB.
SUBMITTER: Bettis AH
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10524440 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Characterizing Adolescent Disclosures of Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior to Parents.
Bettis Alexandra H AH Cosby Elizabeth E Benningfield Margaret M MM Fox Kathryn K Burke Taylor A TA
The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine 20230630 3
<h4>Purpose</h4>Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior (SI/SB) are prevalent among adolescents. Treatment of SI/SB in adolescents relies on their disclosure, yet there is limited research on adolescent SI/SB disclosure experiences. Understanding who they disclose to and how they experience their parents' responses to their disclosures is important, as parents are often involved in adolescent mental health treatment.<h4>Methods</h4>The present study characterized adolescent SI/SB disclosures in ...[more]
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