The objective of this qualitative research is to better understand the processes that contribute to resilience among adolescents in foster care. Twelve boys and girls (X=15.9 years), identified as resilient, participated in this study. The mean duration of the teenagers' placement is 7.3 years. The results point to three types of turning points:…

Empirical evidence relating negative life events and adolescent suicidal behavior is reviewed. The contribution of life events tends to be moderate or weak. A stress process model is presented. Past research has not incorporated mediating and moderating variables into pathways that link psychosocial stressors and suicidal outcomes, providing a…

An integrative conceptual framework is provided for ongoing assessment and day-to-day treatment of suicidal adolescents. Goals are to provide a summary of therapeutic and assessment tasks consistent with existing standards of care and supported by empirical findings and to emphasize the roles, tasks, demands, and limitations of psychotherapy with…

This comprehensive assessment process model includes primary, secondary, and situational risk factors and their combined implications and significance in determining an adolescent's level or risk for suicide. Empirical data and clinical intuition are integrated to form a working client model that guides the professional in continuously reassessing…

The relationship between attachment patterns and suicidal ideation is investigated. Participants (N=116) were assessed on level of current ideation through self-report questionnaires. Lethality of methods contemplated was rated on a subset (N=16) by interview. Categorical analyses relate ideation to attachment styles. Lethality was correlated with…

The relationship between the number of suicidal communications prior to an attempt and the lethality of the attempt is investigated. Attempters who made fewer suicidal communications tended to use more lethal methods. A history of drug abuse was more prevalent in the low communication group. (Author/EMK)

The psychometric properties and validity of the Reasons for Living (RFL) Inventory were examined among psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents (N=253) identified as suicide ideators, suicide attempters, and psychiatric controls. Factor analysis provided support for RFL for clinical and research assessment while producing slightly different…

Methodological issues related to administering suicidal screening measures to children and adolescents are examined. Risk and comparison groups were formed within a longitudinal investigation of offspring of depressed and well mothers. Assessments were made four times for two siblings from each family. Patterns of reporting are discussed.…