REPRODUCTIVE STATUS, FAMILY INTERACTIONS, AND SUICIDAL IDEATION - SURVEYS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND HIGH-RISK GROUPS

Evolutionary modeling predicts an erosion of self-preservative genetic expression in the conjunction of low reproductive potential and burde nsomeness toward kin. Although culture and pathology clearly bear on h uman suicide, some of its emotional concomitants could reflect such ev olution, A survey probing reproductive behavior, quality of family con tacts, and suicidal ideation was administered to samples of the genera l public of Ontario and high-suicide-risk groups, including elderly, p sychiatric, criminal psychiatric, and homosexual individuals. Within e ach sample, variance in suicidal ideation related to reproductive and family-social variables. Social isolation and perceived burdensomeness toward family were especially correlated with suicidal ideation.