The Psychology Centre

The Role of Dynamic Family Factors in the Development and Management of Suicidal Risk in Young People.

John Fitzgerald, Karma Galyer, Philippa Thomas, & Gavin Whiu

Project Duration:
July 2008 - October 2009

Our primary emphasis is on understanding families. Suicide risk provides the important context within which we are working.

Description of the Project:

The purpose of this project is to obtain data which will enhance our understanding of the role of dynamic family factors in the development and management of suicidal risk. We want to understand what characteristics, dynamics and strategies distinguish those families who cope well with the threat of loss by suicide and demonstrate high resilience, from those that struggle. Specifically, are there family interaction patterns or practices which compound/mitigate risk? Are there family strategies which enhance psychological and social resilience and coping, and which contribute to better outcomes? To make this project more manageable we have elected to focus on youth up to the age of 24 years, although we are aware that a majority of completed suicides occur during adulthood.

To complete this project we are talking with families that fall into one of four different groups,

• Families that have experienced the loss of a young (16-24 yrs) family member by suicide,
• Families where a young family member has attempted suicide,
• Families where a young family member has a recognised mental health difficulty, but where there has been no suicide attempt or disclosed suicidal ideation/thinking, and
• Families where the young family members have no recognised mental health difficulties, and where there has been no suicidal thinking or behaviour.

Each family attends for two sessions. Each session lasts between 30-90 minutes.

Session 1 (all families): We ask family members to complete two brief rating scales, and then move on to a standard time-line task (developing a family history). Most of the time is then taken asking the families to tell us about themselves .. strengths, challenges, things they do well and things they do not, community supports, the things that bind and define them as a family. We audio record the second part of this session and then analyse the content for general themes.

Session 2a (all families): A short feedback session providing a summary of the rating scales and of the main themes explored during Session 1.

Session 2b: (only families who have experienced suicidal behaviours): For these families we continue with an opportunity to talk about how the family characteristics explored in Session 1 may be helped, did not help, were changed as a result of suicide risk related experiences. If required we will provide an opportunity for any young person who has made a suicide attempt to talk separately and confidentially. We leave it to the family to decide whether children should be included at this session.


We have a special page for those considering participation in the project.


Links:
www.tepou.co.nz