Trends in Suicidology: Personality as an Endophenotype for Molecular Genetic Investigations

The authors use Gottesman & Gould’s 5 criteria for endophenotypes to evaluate the latest trend in suicide research – the merits of using an endophenotype such as personality to identify suicide susceptibility genes. Four main constellations of personality characteristics associated with suicidal behaviour are examined: impulsivity, hostility-aggression, introversion, & anxiety-neuroticism. Related questions are discussed: is personality heritable, do personality & suicidality co-segregate in families, & are particular personality traits found in unaffected family members more frequently than in the general population? (82 refs.)