Year: 1987 Source: Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, v.17, no.4, (Winter 1987), p.288-298 SIEC No: 19871970

Explored is the possibility that exposure to parental suicidal ideation places a child at greater risk of suicide in later life. Two case studies are presented. Possible mechanismsfor the development of this syndrome include: (1). Effects of a chronic sense of powerlessness & guilt (2). Imitation of the parent’s self-desructive attitudes & behaviors (3). Blocking of early identification with the non-suicidal parent.