Maternal Suicidality and Risk of Suicidality in Offspring: Findings From a Community Study

This German study evaluated the associations between suicidal ideation & suicide attempts in mothers & various aspects of suicidality in their offspring in a representative community sample. Results are based on 933 adolescents who completed follow-up & for whom direct diagnostic information for the biological mother was available. Compared to offspring of mothers without suicidality, offspring of mothers reporting suicide attempts showed a remarkably higher risk for suicidal thoughts & attempts & a tendency toward suicide attempts at an earlier age. (57 refs.)