Year: 2005 Source: American Journal of Psychiatry, v.162, no.9, (September 2005), p.1672-1679 SIEC No: 20060900

This study examined the shared & distinctive factors associated with familial mood disorders & familial suicidal behaviour. First-degree relatives’ history of mood disorder & suicidal behaviour was recorded for 457 mood disorder probands. A total of 23.2% of the probands with mood disorder who had attempted suicide had a first-degree relative with a history of suicidal bheaviour, compared with 13.2% of the probands with mood disorder who had not attempted suicide. Risk for suicidal behaviour in families of probands with mood disorders appears related to early onset of mood disorders, aggressive/impulsive traits, & reported childhood abuse in probands. (43 refs.)