E-Book Overview
In this remarkably clear and readable evaluation of the research on this topic, Barry Wagner presents the current state of knowledge about suicidal behaviors in children and adolescents, addressing the trends of the past ten years and evaluating available treatment approaches. Wagner provides an in-depth examination of the problem of suicidal behavior within the context of child and adolescent behavior. Among the developmental issues covered are the evolving capacity for emotional self-regulation, change and stresses in family, peer, and romantic relationships, and developing conceptions of time and death. He also provides an up-to-date review of the controversy surrounding the possible influence of antidepressant medications on suicidal behavior. Within the context of an integrative model of the suicide crisis, Wagner discusses issues pertaining to assessment, treatment, and prevention.
E-Book Content
Current Perspectives in Psychology
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Suicidal Behavior in Children and Adolescents Barry M. Wagner YA L E U N I V E R S I T Y P R E S S
N E W H AV E N A N D L O N D O N
Copyright © 2009 by Yale University. All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, including illustrations, in any form (beyond that copying permitted by Sections 107 and 108 of the U.S. Copyright Law and except by reviewers for the public press), without written permission from the publishers. Set in Adobe Garamond by IBT Global. Printed in the United States of America by IBT Global. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Wagner, Barry M. Suicidal behavior in children and adolescents / Barry M. Wagner. p. cm. (Current perspectives in psychology) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-300-11250-4 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Teenagers—Suicidal behavior— United States. 2. High school students—Suicidal behavior—United States. 3. Suicide—United States. I. Title. HV6546.W34 2009 618.92'—dc A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. This paper meets the requirements of ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper).
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To Julia
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Contents
Series Foreword Alan E. Kazdin Acknowledgments xi
ix
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
1
CHAPTER 2
Nature and Scope of the Problem
7
CHAPTER 3
Theoretical and Developmental Considerations CHAPTER 4
Social Relationships
78
CHAPTER 5
Stress, Coping, and Emotion Regulation CHAPTER 6
Psychopathology
139
CHAPTER 7
Assessment and Treatment 159 CHAPTER 8
Prevention
219
References 263 Index 307
112
43
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Series Foreword
Current Perspectives in Psychology presents the latest discoveries and developments across the spectrum of the psychological and behavioral sciences. The series explores such important topics as learning, intelligence, trauma, stress, brain development and behavior, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, education, child-rearing, divorce and marital discord, and child, adolescent, and adult development. Each book focuses on critical advances in research, theory, methods, and applications and is designed to be accessible and informative to nonspecialists and specialists alike. This book focuses on suicidal behavior among children and adolescents. Dr. Barry Wagner provides a remarkably clear and integrative evaluation of the subject, and key topics are thoroughly covered, including a description of the problem, current theories to explain the problem, research on precursors, risk factors, and possible causes, and treatment and prev