Perception of Parental Bonds and Suicide Intent Among Egyptian Adolescents

PROBLEM: Suicidal adolescents, compared to their nonsuicidal peers, tend to perceive their parents as less caring and more controlling-which characterizes the affectionless control parenting style. Research findings are inconsistent regarding the distinct influence of mother versus father parenting on youth suicide intent; moreover, the influence of parents' joint parenting styles on suicide intent has not been investigated. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design and large sample (N=150 youth, 13-21 years old), currently hospitalized in a treatment center in Egypt for a recent suicide attempt, data were collected using the Suicide Intent Scale, Parental Bonding Instrument, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. FINDINGS: Seventy percent of youth reported high suicide intent. Mother and father parenting styles, assessed independently, were not associated with adolescent suicide intent. The joint effect of both parents' parenting style, however, was positively associated with suicide intent (Wald chi(2)=8.79, p=.03). Suicide intent was stronger among adolescents who experienced neglectful compared with optimal parenting style (B=1.93, Wald chi(2)=4.28, p=.04). CONCLUSIONS: The findings have direct implications for mental health nursing interventions, signaling the critical need to engage both parents in family-based interventions to address youth suicidal behavior.