Citation

Chagnon F. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2007; 37(4): 439-452.

Affiliation

Centre for Research and Intervention on Suicide and Euthanasia, University of Quebec at Montreal, Canada. changnon.francois@uqam.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1521/suli.2007.37.4.439

PMID

17896884

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between coping mechanisms and suicide attempts among 84 adolescents in the Quebec youth residential services. A new measure based on in-depth interviews is used to identify coping mechanisms. The suicidal youths used fewer adequate coping mechanisms than nonsuicidal youths when faced with comparable stressful events. Negative cognitive reframing, anger, and blaming others were more frequently reported by the suicidal youths. Contrary to certain theoretical conceptions, coping mechanisms were not stable and varied according to the context of the suicidal crisis. These findings indicate the usefulness of this approach to measure coping mechanisms and support the importance of programs aimed at developing coping skills for suicide prevention.

Language: en