From Distress to Suicidal Ideations: A Qualitative Exploration based on Family Functioning of Young Adults

Abstract

Objective of this study was to access family functioning of young adults with suicidal ideation based on Satir’s Growth Model and to explore risk and protective factors through their lived experiences. Suicidal ideation is a complex phenomenon based on conviction that life has no purpose to the deliberate creation of a plan to end it. Young adulthood is a vulnerable period because of their changing identities and expectations at home. Suicidal ideation is correlated with family functioning. Purposive sampling was utilized and data was collected from eight young individuals through semi-structured interviews. Six main themes and sub-themes were generated. Results showed that this study can be significant in the field of family functioning and family can be served as a protective factor while dealing with suicidal ideations. Study recommends that future studies should examine family-level interactions and should incorporate family therapies that can help to improve young suicide prevention initiatives.