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The association of parental fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviour with offspring suicidal behaviour and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2011

G. Geulayov ,
D. Gunnell ,
T. L. Holmen  and
C. Metcalfe
G. Geulayov*
Affiliation:
School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
D. Gunnell
Affiliation:
School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
T. L. Holmen
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norway University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
C. Metcalfe
Affiliation:
School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: G. Geulayov, M.Sc., School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol BS8 2PS, UK. (Email: Galit.Geulayov@bristol.ac.uk)
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Abstract

Background

Children whose parents die by, or attempt, suicide are believed to be at greater risk of suicidal behaviours and affective disorders. We systematically reviewed the literature on these associations and, using meta-analysis, estimated the strength of associations as well as investigated potential effect modifiers (parental and offspring gender, offspring age).

Method

We comprehensively searched the literature (Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science), finding 28 articles that met our inclusion criteria, 14 of which contributed to the meta-analysis. Crude odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) were pooled using fixed-effects models.

Results

Controlling for relevant confounders, offspring whose parents died by suicide were more likely than offspring of two living parents to die by suicide [aOR 1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54–2.45] but there were heterogeneous findings in the two studies investigating the impact on offspring suicide attempt (aOR 1.31, 95% CI 0.73–2.35). Children whose parents attempted suicide were at increased risk of attempted suicide (aOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.48–2.57). Limited evidence indicated that exposure to parental death by suicide is associated with subsequent risk of affective disorders. Maternal suicidal behaviour and younger age at exposure were associated with larger effect estimates but there was no evidence that the association differed in sons versus daughters.

Conclusions

Parental suicidal behaviour is associated with increased risk of offspring suicidal behaviour. Findings suggest that maternal suicidal behaviour is a more potent risk factor than paternal, and that children are more vulnerable than adolescents and adults. However, there is no evidence of a stronger association in either male or female offspring.

Keywords

Meta-analysisoffspring depressionoffspring suicidal behaviourparental suicidal behavioursystematic review
Type
Review Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 42 , Issue 8 , August 2012 , pp. 1567 - 1580
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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