Does the Transmissible Liability Index (TLI) assessed in late childhood predict suicidal symptoms at young adulthood?

Abstract

Objective: Our previous work demonstrated that the Transmissible Liability Index (TLI), an instrument designed as an index of liability for substance use disorder (SUD), is associated with risk of substance use disorder. This longitudinal study assessed whether TLI measured in 10–12-year-olds (late childhood) predicts suicidal behavior from age 12–14 (preadolescence) to age 25 (young adulthood). We hypothesized that TLI would predict number and severity of suicide attempts. Methods: Subjects were sons of men who had lifetime history of SUD (n = 250), called the High Average Risk (HAR) group, and sons of men with no lifetime history of a SUD (n = 250), called the Low Average Risk (LAR) group. The TLI was delineated at baseline (age 10–12), and age-specific versions were administered at 12–14, 16, 19, 22, and 25 years of age. Results: TLI was significantly associated with number and severity of lifetime suicide attempts. Conclusions: These findings confirm the hypothesis that TLI assessed at late childhood is a predictor of frequency and severity of suicidal behavior from preadolescence to young adulthood.

• Transmissible Liability Index (TLI)
• suicide
• young adults

Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (P50 DA005605, R01 DA019142, R01 DA14635, R01 AA014357, K02 DA017822, K05 DA031248, K02 AA018195, and the NIDA Clinical Trials Network); and from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R21 AA022123, R21 AA022863, R01 AA015173, R01 AA14357, R01 AA13397, K24 AA15320, and K02 AA000291).

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Notice of Correction:

Following initial online publication, Figure 1 has been reformatted for clarity.