Children in group homes: family dynamics, adolescent suicide attempts and drug use

Three hundred children age 10-20 living in group homes for children were assessed for behaviors related to alcohol and other drug consumption, suicide attempts, frequency of punishment, attention from parents, conflicts with parents, and other family dynamics. Children who used substances were significantly more likely to have attempted suicide more frequently. Children who had attempted suicide were more likely to perceive that they had not received enough parental attention, to have had more conflicts with parents, and to have run away from home. This seminal article indicates inter-related prevalences of family factors, suicide and substance abuse issues and suggests the need for strong institutional and agency policy development for this understudied "at risk" population.