Treatment Narratives of Suicidal Latina Teens

Abstract

In this article, we examine the treatment narratives of Latina adolescent suicide attempters to understand their experiences undergoing care. For this study, we conducted content and thematic analysis of 68 interviews with Latina adolescent suicide attempters. Most teens who described positive experiences undergoing treatment (n = 39, 44.1%) did so when discussing outpatient mental health services (n = 30, 72.9%). Latinas felt that the providers who fostered their autonomy and connectedness helped them become active agents in their recovery. Clinicians serving suicidal Latinas must allow them to exercise agency while feeling emotionally connected to providers. To help Latinas manage their suicidality, treatments need to address the teens’ developmental needs.

Keywords:

• Latina
• narratives
• suicide attempts
• treatment

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Carolina Hausmann-Stabile

Carolina Hausmann-Stabile, School of Social Work, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Lauren Gulbas

Lauren Gulbas, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.

Luis H. Zayas

Luis H. Zayas, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA.