Self-representation of suicidal adolescents

Israel Orbach*, Mario Mikulincer, Daniel Stein, Orit Cohen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study focused on the self-representations of suicidal adolescents. TWenty-six Israeli suicidal inpatients, 24 nonsuicidal inpatients, and 24 control participants completed scales on suicidal tendencies, the hedonic value of self-representations, the complexity (differentiation, integration) of these self-representations, and the discrepancies among self domains (actual, ideal, ought). Suicidal adolescents showed more negative self- representations, a less differentiated and less integrated organization of self-attributes, and more discrepancies between the 3 assessed domains of the self than did control participants. In addition, compared with psychiatric nonsuicidal participants, suicidal adolescents showed a less complex organization of self-attributes and a higher discrepancy between ideal self and ought self. Results were discussed in terms of the vulnerable self of suicidal adolescents, characterized by uneven processing of positive and negative information, confusion, and simplicity.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)435-439
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Abnormal Psychology
Volume107
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes

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