Parental representation in suicidal adolescents: a controlled study

One hundred and eighty-seven adolescents referred to outpatient and residential services in three Canadian cities were assessed for lifetime suicidal ideation and attempt, and administered the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Suicidal adolescents of both genders reported lower care and higher over-protection in relation to their mothers than non-suicidal subjects, and female subjects reported this pattern for their fathers as well. Male subjects did not show clear differentiation between groups on PBI ratings for their fathers. Mean PBI scores for female subjects indicated subjects with no suicidal ideation, those with suicidal ideation only, and those having made suicide attempts to be on a continuum, but findings for males did not. The findings extend previous reports of higher "affectionless control" in suicidal adults, but suggest that this pattern may be stronger in females than males, and that maternal influences may be stronger than paternal influences.