Family Economic Pressure and Adolescent Suicidal Ideation: Application of the Family Stress Model

Authors

Kevin A. Yoder, University of North TexasFollow
Dan R. Hoyt, University of Nebraska–LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2005

Citation

Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior 35:3 (June 2005), pp. 251–264; doi: 10.1521/suli.2005.35.3.251.

Comments

Copyright 2005 The American Association for Suicidology. Published by John Wiley & Sons. Used by permission.

Abstract

This study used a sample of 501 families from the Mississippi Delta region to examine the feasibility of the Family Stress Model for understanding adolescent suicidal ideation. The results indicated that family economic pressure was related to parental depressive symptoms, which, in turn, was related to parental hostile behavior and physical abuse. These parental behaviors were related to adolescent self-esteem and depressive symptoms, which, in turn, were related to adolescent suicidal ideation. Therefore, family economic pressure and parental depressive symptoms and behaviors were indirectly related to adolescent suicidal ideation. The results indicate the applicability of the Family Stress Model for understanding adolescent suicidal ideation.