Suicidal ideation and attempts: A longitudinal investigation of children of depressed and well mothers

Objective: This study uses a prospective longitudinal design to examine sui cidality (ideation, plans, attempts, and completions) in children and adole scents, to compare suicidality in the offspring of depressed and well mothe rs, and to identify correlates and predictors of suicidality. Method: Two c hildren (n = 192) from each of the families in an ongoing longitudinal stud y of the offspring of mothers with major depressive disorder (n = 42), with bipolar disorder (n = 26), or without past or current psychiatric diagnosi s (n = 30) were studied. Assessment of suicidality, based on diagnostic int erviews, was made when the younger of the sibling pairs were approximately 6, 9, and 14 years of age and older siblings were approximately 6, 9, 13, a nd 18 years of age. Results: Children of depressed mothers were more likely to report suicidal thoughts or behaviors than were children of well mother s (particularly the older sibling cohort). Developmental trajectories of su icidality differed for offspring of mothers with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Links were found between lifetime reports of suicidal ity and the adolescent's mood problems (e.g., hypomanic behavior), coping s trategies, and parental rejection. Also, child's and mother's suicidality w ere related. Conclusions: These findings have implications for planning int erventions targeted at preventing suicide in youth.