Familial and intrapsychic splits in suicidal adolescents.

This paper describes a particular family dynamics involved in suicidal behaviors of adolescents. Certain family situiations create a split between some family members and the suicidal adolescent to the point of total estrangement. The adolescent copes with this split by forming intrapsychic splits, including a suicidal self and nonsuicidal self, through dissociation. This process peaks in the suicidal behavior itself. The therapeutic principles implied by this model are presented.