PSYCHIATRIC IMPACT OF THE LOSS OF AN ADOLESCENT SIBLING TO SUICIDE

Twenty-five adolescent siblings of 20 adolescent suicide victims were psychiatrically assessed 6 months after the suicide, and compared to 2 5 demographically matched controls. Siblings were much more likely to show a new-onset major depression subsequent to exposure to suicide. N ew-onset depression was associated with previous psychiatric disorder, family history of any psychiatric disorder, and family history of maj or depression. Mothers of suicide victims, compared to the mothers of controls, were also more likely to be depressed 6 months after the sui cide of their child. The development of a family-based intervention fo r families of adolescent suicides is recommended.