Parents’ Experiences Supporting Justice-Involved Adolescents at Risk of Suicide During the Pre-Detention Phase in Indonesia

Background: Adolescent violent behavior is often influenced by complex psychosocial and environmental stressors, which can escalate into severe mental health crises, including suicide risk. In Indonesia, during the pre-detention phase prior to placement in the juvenile correctional system (LPKA), parents experience significant emotional distress while managing social stigma and continuing to support their child. This critical phase, particularly in the regions of LPKA in West Sulawesi, remains underexplored in family psychiatric nursing research in Indonesia. Aim: To explore the emotional struggles and processes of self-acceptance experienced by parents, predominantly mothers, when their adolescents, involved in violent offenses, were identified as at risk of suicide before detention. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using purposive sampling to recruit 15 parents/primary caregivers of justice-involved adolescents at risk of suicide during the pre-detention phase prior to LPKA placement. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, supported by NVivo for data management and coding. Results: Five themes were identified: (1) emotional shock and self-blame, (2) family tension and psychological exhaustion, (3) community-based social stigma, (4) reflective turning points toward self-acceptance, and (5) unmet needs for family mental health support during the pre-detention crisis phase. Notably, parental experiences fluctuated rather than following a linear trajectory, emphasizing the dynamic nature of their emotional responses. Conclusion: Parents, especially mothers, experienced substantial psychological distress and a fluctuating pathway toward self-acceptance prior to detention. These findings highlight the need for family-focused, trauma-informed mental health nursing interventions starting in the pre-detention phase. Additionally, efforts to reduce stigma and improve access to timely psychosocial support are essential for both adolescents and their families. Keywords: community stigma, parental distress, pre-detention phase, self-acceptance, suicide risk