Risk for Suicidal Ideation Among the Offspring of Bipolar Parents: Results From the Bipolar Offspring Study (BIOS)

Abstract

The objective of the study was to examine rates and identify risk factors for suicidal ideation among offspring of parents with bipolar disorder. Subjects included 388 offspring of parents with bipolar disorder and 250 offspring of matched community controls enrolled in the Pittsburgh Bipolar Offspring Study (BIOS). Offspring of bipolar probands displayed greater rates of lifetime suicidal ideation than offspring of controls (33% versus 20%). Factors most strongly associated with lifetime suicidal ideation in offspring of bipolar parents included offspring mood disorder, hostility, recent sexual abuse, and family conflict. Offspring of parents with bipolar disorder are at elevated risk for suicidal ideation as compared with offspring of controls. Suicide risk assessment in this population should attend to specific risk factors identified.

Keywords:

• bipolar disorder
• high risk
• offspring
• suicidal ideation

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by NIMH grants MH60952 (PI: Birmaher) and MH074581 (PI: T. Goldstein). The authors wish to thank: Carol Kostek, Cathy Seman, the BIOS interviewers and staff, and the participating families who generously gave their time.

Notes

Note. ^a Childhood Affective Dysregulation Scale.

^b Children's Hostility Inventory.

^c Conflict Behavior Questionnaire.

^d Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale.

Note. ^a Hollingshead four-factor criteria (1975).

^b Aggression Questionnaire.

^c Global Assessment of Functioning.

Note. Significant demographic difference between groups (i.e., SES) entered as covariate Model controlling for familial correlation.