How Suicide Attempts by Parents May Lead to Increased Risk for Suicide Attempts by Their Children

Heightened risks for suicide attempts and completed suicide are known to be familial, but the pathways for transmitting these risks are unclear. To learn more, investigators prospectively followed 701 offspring (age range, 10–50) of 334 parents with mood disorders; 57% of the parents had attempted suicide.

Follow-up lasted a mean of 5.6 years. Assessments included psychiatric diagnoses, suicidality, aggression, impulsivity, and childhood maltreatment in all participants, as well as self-reported depression, life events, family climate, and social support in offspring.

During follow-up, 29 offspring (4.1%) attempted suicide. Risk for suicide attempt in offspring was directly increased by offspring's mood disorder at baseline (OR, 4.20), previo…