This study examines the families-of-origin of suicidal females, with particular focus on their parents. The data are drawn from fifty female suicide attempters and include life history materials, diaries and letters, interviews with therapists, and material from group counseling sessions. Five parental characteristics are identified and described-non-nurturing parents, absent parents, abusive parents, mentally ill parents, and alcoholic parents. These characteristics are described and examples presented. Their relationship to the individuals' suicidal behaviors is discussed.
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