Citation

Scott S, Diamond GS, Levy SA. Aust. N. Zeal. J. Fam. Ther. 2016; 37(2): 154-176.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Australian Association of Family Therapy, Publisher Wiley Blackwell)

DOI

10.1002/anzf.1149

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Suicide is the primary cause of death in Australia for youth between the ages of 15 and 24. This is common worldwide as well. Unfortunately, very few treatments have been developed, tested, and successful for treating this difficult clinical problem. Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is one of the therapies demonstrating a significant decrease in suicide ideation and attempts. The effectiveness of this model may rest on the fact that ABFT targets the clinical context (e.g., family, trauma, etc.) of this problem as well as intrapsychic processes. Based on attachment theory, the model aims to help adolescents recover a more secure attachment relationship with parents so that secure-based parenting can help protect the adolescent from future stress and self-harm. A case study is used to demonstrate how the model unfolds, systemically seeking to repair the attachment relationships while also keeping the adolescent safe from suicidal thoughts and behaviours. © 2016 Australian Association of Family Therapy

Language: en

Keywords

adolescents; suicide; treatment; case study; family therapy; Attachment-Based Family Therapy