Responses to Depressed Mood and Suicide Attempt in Young Adults With a History of Childhood-Onset Mood Disorder

The goal of this study was to examine whether maladaptive responses to depressed mood are associated with suicide attempts in adults with a history of childhood-onset mood disorders. Participants included 223 young adult probands & 112 controls without a history of psychiatric disorder. Probands were followed for 6-99 months. Compared to controls, probands scored significiantly higher on maladaptive response styles & lower on adaptive styles. Compared to their childhood-onset mood disorder peers, probands with a history of suicide attempt were less likely to report using distracting activities to manage their mood. However, childhood-onset mood disorder probands who engaged in dangerous activities in response to depressed mood were more likely to attempt suicide during the follow-up period. (42 refs.)