Family Communication, Maternal and Paternal Expectations, and College Students' Suicidality

Abstract

This study extends current research on family communication and suicide risk in 2 ways. First, it examines variables that reflect communication patterns found in generally well-functioning families, as opposed to more commonly specified pathological factors, to assess the relationship of family communication and suicidality (ideation and attempts). Second, it examines the differential effects of family communication and parental expectations across gender, analyzing mothers and fathers separately. Specifically, this study assesses the influence that maternal and paternal family communication orientation, maternal and paternal expectation of perfection, personal expectation of perfection, and emotional closeness with parents have on suicidality in both men and women. Data from a questionnaire administered to 421 introductory public speaking students at a northeastern university were analyzed using logistic regression and revealed that female suicide ideation was strongly influenced by one particular pattern of family communication-one in which the father adopted a conformity orientation and the mother communicated a strong expectation of perfection. Findings regarding actual suicide attempts were inconclusive. SUMMARYThis study set out to develop and gather evidence to support an initial conceptual model predicting that family conformity communication, parental expectations, 180 MILLER AND DAY Downloaded by [University of Kent] at 13:45 14 December 2014

The Development of Effective Message Content for Suicide Intervention

“…One reason females are more likely to experience suicidal ideation may be explained by family communication. For example, Miller and Day (2002) found that female suicidal ideation was linked to a particular pattern of family communication. The researchers focused on family communication and suicidality among college students.…”

The Mediating Role of Sibling Maintenance Behavior Expectations and Perceptions in the Relationship Between Family Communication Patterns and Relationship Satisfaction

“…Despite holding these expectations, conformity orientation was not associated with actual perceived maintenance behavior. The combination of conformity orientation and holding high expectations in the parent-child relationship has been associated with negative outcomes such as suicide ideation among young adults (Miller & Day, 2002). Future research should further explore the influence of high conformity orientation and sibling expectations on the sibling relationship as research on conformity orientation among siblings is still in its infancy.…”

The Constructed Meaning of Suicide: A Relational Dialectics Theory Analysis of Online Suicide Chats

“…Researchers have also found mental health disorders contributed to the majority of completed suicides among youth (Houston et al, 2001). A mental health approach represents one dominant narrative that frames suicidality in relation to an individual's deficiency (Marsh, 2015; Miller & Day, 2002).…”