Childhood Exposure to Caregiver Suicidal Behavior and Risk for Adult Suicide Attempts: Findings from a National Survey

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between exposure to caregiver suicidality and subsequent adult suicide attempt (SA). Data came from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave 2 (n = 34,653). Respondents were asked if they had a caregiver attempt or complete suicide during childhood. Logistic regression examined associations between SA and caregiver suicidality. Compared to individuals with no suicidality, risk for lifetime SA was higher for individuals that were exposed to a SA (15.6%, [OR] = 5.86, 95% [CI] = 4.57–7.51) and for those who experienced a death by suicide (6.1%, [OR] = 2.08, CI = 1.32–3.26]. Associations remained significant after controlling for demographics, Axis I and II disorders and childhood adversity. Individuals with exposure to suicidality are at increased odds for SA.

Keywords:

• caregiver
• childhood
• suicidality
• suicide
• suicide attempt

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Swampy Cree Suicide Prevention Team Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Operating Grant #82894, CIHR New Investigator Award (Grant #82894), Manitoba Health Research Council Chair Award, a Manitoba Health Research Council operating grant and Establishment Award, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Doctoral Scholarship, and Western Regional Training Centre for Health Services Research award. The above stated organizations had no role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the paper for publication.

Notes

Associations between Offspring Suicide Attempt and Caregiver Suicidality.

OR = Odds ratio.

95% CI = 95% Confidence Interval.

*p < .05, **p < .01, ***p < .001.

¹Model adjusted for age, ethnicity, marital status, household income, Axis I and II disorders, and childhood adversity.

²Does not add up to 100 due to rounding.

AOR = Adjusted odds ratio.

95% CI = 95% Confidence Interval.

*p < .05, **p < .01, ***p < .001.

¹After adjusting for covariates in the model, the difference between the adjusted odds ratios for caregiver suicide completion and caregiver suicide attempt was no longer significant.