Laura M. Frey

Risk for Suicide and the Role of Family A Narrative Review

Limited research exists that examines the contribution of family factors to the development and treatment of suicide. Although suicidal behavior occurs within an individual, the context in which it occurs can add necessary insights for understanding and preventing suicide. In this article, the existing literature on the family’s psychosocial role in the development of suicidal behavior is reviewed. Additionally, a review of the limited research on the family’s role in treatment following a suicidal action is provided. Finally, several directions for future research and clinical work are discussed to enhance our understanding of the family’s role in preventing suicide.

Suicide Disclosure in Suicide Attempt Survivors: Does Family Reaction Moderate or Mediate Disclosure's Effect on Depression?

Existing literature has found a link between disclosure of a stigmatized identity and improved mental health; however, research on the impact of suicide disclosure to family members is scarce. Suicide attempt survivors (n = 74) in the United States were examined to assess whether family reaction moderates or mediates the relationship between suicide disclosure and subsequent depression symptoms. Family reaction did not moderate but did mediate the relationship between disclosure and depression symptoms while controlling for time since most recent attempt. Higher rates of disclosure predicted more positive family reactions, which in turn predicted less severe depression symptoms. Findings indicate that family members can play an essential role in the recovery process after an attempt occurs, which has important implications for both researchers and clinicians who seek to decrease stigma for attempt survivors while simultaneously decreasing the likelihood of future attempts.

Perceptions of Suicide Stigma.

BACKGROUND Previous research has failed to examine perceptions of stigma experienced by individuals with a history of suicidal behavior, and few studies have examined how stigma is experienced based on whether it was perceived from treatment providers or social network members. AIMS This study examined stigma experienced by individuals with previous suicidal behavior from both treatment providers and individuals in ones social and family networks. METHOD Individuals (n = 156) with a lifetime history of suicidal behavior were recruited through the American Association of Suicidology listserv. RESULTS Respondents reported the highest rates of perceived stigma with a close family member (57.1%) and emergency department personnel (56.6%). Results indicated that individuals with previous suicidal behavior were more likely to experience stigma from non-mental health providers and social network members than from mental health providers. A hierarchical regression model including both source and type of stigma accounted for more variance (R(2) = .14) in depression symptomology than a model (R(2) = .06) with only type of stigma. Prevalence of stigma perceived from social network members was the best predictor of depression symptom severity. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the need for future research on how social network members react to suicide disclosure and potential interventions for improving interactions following disclosure.

Alpha Asymmetry in Female Military Spouses Following Deployment

In the present investigation the authors incorporate a social/affective neuroscience approach to assess the relationship between deployment and electrical brain activity of women married to service members. In particular, the researchers examined influences associated with alpha asymmetry over the frontal cortex. Results suggest that length of time since returning from deployment and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are associated with greater activity in the right hemisphere of the brain which is associated with a tendency to withdraw from an uncomfortable stimulus.

Attitudes toward Assisted Suicide: Does Family Context Matter?

Little is known about how family-related contextual variables impact attitudes toward assisted suicide. A probability sample (N = 272) responded to a multiple-segment factorial vignette designed to examine the effects of 6 variables—patient sex, age, type of illness, relationship status, parenthood status, and family support—on attitudes toward physician- and family-assisted suicide. Respondents were more likely to support physician-assisted suicide if they heard about an older patient or a patient experiencing physical pain than a younger patient or one suffering from depression, respectively. For family-assisted suicide, respondent support was higher when the patient had physical pain than depression, and when the patients spouse or friend was supportive of the wish to die than unsupportive. Attitudes about physician and family obligation to inform others were affected by type of illness, relationship status, family support, and respondent education and religiosity. The experience of pain, motivations for family involvement, confidentiality issues, and physicians’ biases concerning assisted suicide are discussed.

American Attitudes in Context: Posthumous Use of Cryopreserved Gametes

Attitudes toward reproducing with a deceased spouse’s cryopreserved gametes were examined with a probability sample of 864 respondents from throughout the continental United States. Specifically, a multiple segment factorial vignette was administered to test the effects of five contextual variables: (a) sex composition of the survivor and deceased, (b) marriage duration, (c) deceased’s disposition toward parenthood, (d) cause of death, and (e) wishes of the deceased’s parents. Roughly two-thirds of respondents were supportive of the procedure across experimental conditions, but support was more likely when the deceased was male, the couple had been married longer, the deceased had been looking forward to parenthood, the death was due to a car accident than suicide, and when the deceased’s parents supported the procedure. Rationales for supporting the procedure were primarily focused on the surviving spouse’s wishes or rights, the deceased’s implied or assumed wishes, and the opinion of the deceased’s parents. Those who opposed the procedure most frequently cited the deceased’s unknown wishes, concerns for the potential child, and the opinions of the deceased’s parents.

Talking about suicide may not be enough: family reaction as a mediator between disclosure and interpersonal needs

Abstract Background: Although most people who make an attempt do not die, attempt survivors remain at particularly elevated risk for suicide in the short- and long-term. Moreover, the research on suicide-related disclosure and subsequent family reactions on risk factors for the development of suicidal desire is limited. Aims: This study examined the relationships between disclosure, family reaction and two interpersonal needs connected to the development of suicidal desire. Methods: Data from 74 attempt survivors who participated in a larger study were analyzed to assess the relationships between degree of suicide-related disclosure, quality of family reaction and thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. Results: Results indicated that higher rates of disclosure predicted more positive family reactions, which in turn predicted lower levels of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. Although there was no direct relationship between disclosure and the outcome variables, bootstrapping analyses indicated that family reaction mediated the relationship between disclosure and both belongingness and burdensomeness. Conclusions: These findings suggest the need for more family interventions that promote healthy reactions following suicide-related disclosure in order to facilitate the recovery and treatment process.

Perceived Outcomes of Military-Extension Adventure Camps for Military Personnel and Their Teenage Children

The program described in the present article focused on service member parents and their teenage children participating in camps together. The scope of the project was to provide an opportunity for military personnel who recently returned from deployment to reconnect with an adolescent after an extended absence due to deployment. The camps used the Campfire Curriculum, which included experiential learning, team-building experiences and nightly campfire programs from the Blue to You curriculum for military families. Open-ended responses from parent participants suggested that time together with their children, interacting with fellow service members and their kids, sharing stories, and opportunities for camaraderie were especially important and meaningful.

Youth Experiences Survey (YES): Exploring the Scope and Complexity of Sex Trafficking in a Sample of Youth Experiencing Homelessness

ABSTRACT In the United States, sex trafficking victims have been identified at ages across the lifespan but young persons (under age 25) have been found to have unique vulnerabilities. At-risk youth, such as those who run away from home or those experiencing homelessness, are also at an increased risk of sexual exploitation. To better understand the scope and complexity of sex trafficking among these at-risk youth, a convenience sample of 131 homeless youth aged 12 to 25 years old experiencing homelessness recruited from Kentuckiana youth service providers completed an enhanced version of the Youth Experiences Survey (YES). Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted. Results indicated that 41.2% of the homeless youth were victims of sex trafficking. The sex trafficked youth were more likely to report previous self-harm behaviors, suicide attempts, and substance use. This study not only provides support for improved service delivery, but also provides essential statistics that should inform internal policy and procedures for youth serving agencies in Kentucky and Indiana. Findings highlight a need for trauma-informed interventions designed to treat not only females but also males and LGBTQ youth. Additionally, service providers should consider partnering with victim providers and clinicians to offer therapeutic groups, individual therapy, and supportive services that increase prevention, education, and wraparound care for clients. In regards to future research, findings point towards a need to better understand the role that trauma and adverse childhood experiences may play in making young people vulnerable to sex trafficking, and encourage the need for testing prevention and early intervention practices among vulnerable youth.

Treatment For Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior: A Review of Family‐Based Interventions

The purpose of this article is to review the scientific evidence on the effects of family based interventions for suicidal ideation and behavior. We conducted an extensive search of electronic databases using a comprehensive search strategy. This search resulted in 16 studies that tested 13 interventions for treating suicidal ideation and behavior using family based interventions. Of the interventions identified, three yielded an overall improvement in suicidal ideation and behavior while an additional three interventions produced partial improvement in mental health symptoms. These studies targeted suicidal ideation and behavior in youth or adolescents while no studies examined family interventions for adults with suicidal ideation and behavior. The limitations of these studies and the need for additional research are examined.