Modern theories of suicidal behavior in adolescents and young people

We propose three current models, formulated over the last decade and not yet published in Russian, focused on teenage suicide: the development model of suicidal behavior in adolescents (J.A. Bridge, T.R. Goldstein, D.A. Brent); interpersonal model of (T.E. Joiner); some recent developments in the cognitive theory (A. Spirito, J.D. Matthews, A. Wenzel, A.T. Beck). Four groups of psychological aid targets for adolescents with suicidal tendencies are revealed: 1) targets of the current emotional state of a teenager (feelings of abandonment, self-perception as a burden to the loved ones, anxiety, hopelessness, heartache); 2) targets affecting personal predispositions (primitive defense mechanisms, impulsivity, aggression); 3) targets associated with cognitive functioning (cognitive rigidity, black-and-white thinking, thinking errors); and 4) targets reflecting a need to work with behavioral manifestations (narrow range of coping strategies used).

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