Antecedents and Sequelae of Sudden Parental Death in Offspring and Surviving Caregivers

This study examined the psychiatric antecedents that put parents at risk for early death, & the psychological sequelae of bereavement in offspring & caregivers. Families with biological offspring from 7-25 year of age in which 1 parent had died by suicide, accident, or sudden unnatural death were included. Bipolar disorder, substance abuse, & personality disorders were more common in probands who died by suicide or accident than in control parents. Bereaved offspring & their caregivers were at increased risk for depression & posttraumatic stress disorder. Offspring bereaved by suicide showed similar outcomes compared with those bereaved by other types of death. (61 refs.)