Family history of suicidal behavior predicts impulsive-aggressive behavior levels in psychiatric outpatients

Abstract

Objectives: Impulsive-aggressive traits have been proposed as mediators of the transmission of suicidal behavior in families. Our aim was to investigate the association between family history of suicidal behavior, and expressions of impulsivity and aggressive behavior, in a clinical population.

Methods: A sample of n=474 psychiatric outpatient subjects were assessed by means of standardized interviews for Axis I and II psychopathology, history of suicidal behavior in subjects and their family, and measures of impulsive-aggressive behaviors (IAB).

Results: A total of n=38 (8%) probands had a family history of suicidal behavior. This was three times more frequent in patients with a personal history of suicidality, irrespective of their own psychopathology (p<0.001), and four times more frequent in suicide attempters with depression vs. depressed non-attempters (p<0.005). A family history of suicidal behavior was associated with higher impulsive (p<0.005) and aggressive behavior measures (p<0.01) in probands.

Limitations: Retrospective design and family-history methodology; Limited sample; Contagion and imitation effects could not be assessed based on available data.

Conclusions: Impulsive-aggressive behaviors are significantly elevated in persons who have a familial loading of suicidal behavior.