Family interaction and suicidal behaviour: a brief review |
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Authors: | David Aldridge |
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Institution: | Southwood House, King Square, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 3DQ. |
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Abstract: | This paper reviews those research studies which have investigated suicidal behaviour in the context of the family. It is proposed that in families a subculture of distress management develops not from random deviations but from familial and cultural expectations of how distress can be managed. A number of factors are presented indicating suicide potential: a pattern of marked hostility, a pattern of role disturbance and role failure, a process of escalation when developmental crises occur in the management of family life-cycle transitions, a symbiotic attachment between partners which tolerates no autonomy, an intolerance of crisis, a relationship between the management of crises, family conflict and family organization, suicidal behaviour as a pattern of communication.
A family tradition of crisis management by symptoms and the presence of intra-familial conflict are seen as critical variables. |
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