Parent and Child Psychopathology and Suicide Attempts among Children of Parents with Alcohol Use Disorder

Abstract

Parents with psychopathology such as alcohol use disorder (AUD) that confers risk for suicide attempt (SA) may have children who are more likely to develop such psychopathology and to attempt suicide, suggesting that risk may be “transmitted” from parents to children. We examined this phenomenon during the transition from childhood to adolescence, when risk for SA increases dramatically. A cohort of 418 children were examined at average age 9.4 (range 7–14) years at enrollment (Time 1, childhood) and approximately five years later, prior to reaching age 18 (Time 2, adolescence). One or both biological parents, oversampled for AUD, were also interviewed. Structural equation models (SEM) examined father-child, mother-child, and either/both parent-child associations. The primary outcome was SA over follow-up among offspring, assessed at Time 2. As hypothesized, parental antisocial personality disorder predicted conduct disorder symptoms in offspring both during childhood and adolescence (parent-child model, father-child model) and maternal AUD predicted conduct disorder symptoms during childhood (mother-child model). However, we did not find evidence to support transmission of depression from parents to offspring either during childhood or adolescence, and parent psychopathology did not show statistically significant associations with SA during adolescence. In conclusion, we conducted a rare study of parent-to-child “transmission” of risk for SA that used a prospective research design, included diagnostic interviews with both parents and offspring, and examined the transition from childhood to adolescence, and the first such study in children of parents with AUD. Results provided mixed support for hypothesized parent-child associations.

Longitudinal association between self-injurious thoughts and behaviors and suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis

“…Sensitivity analyses showed that heterogeneity could only be slightly reduced by excluding those studies with a followup <3 years (OR = 6.67; I 2 = 58%) resulting in a slightly higher estimate. Based on the Galbraith Plot, three studies were excluded (Conner et al, 2014;Fergusson et al, 2005;Miranda et al, 2014) and the analysis yielded a lower but similar estimate (OR = 4.93) with no heterogeneity (Figure 3).…”

“…Over half (61%) of the studies achieved ≥ 6 stars. Most of the studies (69%) recruited the sample from general or student population, but other studies recruited specific high-risk groups (e.g., lesbian, gay, and bisexuals; with depressive symptoms or disruptive behaviors; or offspring of alcoholic parents) (Brezo et al, 2007;Conner et al, 2014;Lambert et al, 2008;Lewinsohn et al, 2001;McKeown et al, 1998;Miranda et al, 2014;Mustanski and Liu, 2013;Nrugham et al, 2008;Scott et al, 2015). In two studies (8%), previous SITB had been clinically validated (Brezo et al, 2007;Finkelstein et al, 2015).…”

“…A large amount of research has been published linking the association between any previous SITB and further suicide attempts and suicide death among adolescents and youths. However, the real magnitude of the risks among this population remains unclear with large variations in the risk being reported (Conner et al, 2014;Miranda et al, 2014;Wichstrom and Hegna, 2003), and some studies have even reported non-significant effects (Guan et al, 2012;Nock and Banaji, 2007;Nrugham et al, 2008). These discrepancies raise doubts about the true effect of previous SITBs on future suicidal behaviors among youths.…”

Characterization of suicidal behavior among children in a depressive episode: case series study

“…As described in the literature, involvement in bullying and being a victim of aggression are associated with an increased risk of suicide. 26,27 Family and school are the most In this study, it was observed that suicidal ideation was described in 14 of the cases studied. A suicide attempt, which is one of the criteria for inclusion of cases in this study, was present in all medical records analyzed.…”

“…[24][25][26] Along the same lines, it also appears that paternal psychopathology is an important risk factor for attempted suicide in the offspring. 27 Psychopathologies in the family, such as parental mood and personality disorders and substance abuse, have been demonstrated to increase child risk of non-fatal suicidal behavior. 2 Out of 54 studies identified for a review, nine studies indicated a significantly increased risk of offspring suicide-related thoughts suicide attempts and suicide among those exposed to maternal suicide attempts and suicide in childhood or adolescence.…”