Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Oct 1:257:421-427.
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.06.051. Epub 2019 Jul 2.

Infancy onset maltreatment and the development of suicide ideation: An investigation of moderation by oxytocin-related gene polymorphisms

Elizabeth D Handley  1 , Jennifer M Warmingham  2 , Fred A Rogosch  2 , Dante Cicchetti  3
Affiliations

Infancy onset maltreatment and the development of suicide ideation: An investigation of moderation by oxytocin-related gene polymorphisms

Elizabeth D Handley et al. J Affect Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Suicide ideation and behavior remains a significant public policy concern. The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide posits that thwarted belongingness potentiates risk for suicide. Early disruptions in caregiving have documented effects on lifespan social and interpersonal development, and therefore warrants further investigation in suicide research. This novel study investigates risk for suicide ideation conferred by infant-onset child maltreatment and oxytocin genotypes (OXTR and CD38) and tests interactive effects of genetics and early maltreatment experiences.

Methods: Participants (N = 251) were from a longitudinal follow-up study of emerging adults who participated in a research summer camp program as children (wave 1). Childhood maltreatment was coded from child protective service records and buccal cells were obtained from children and genotyped. At wave 2, self-reported suicide ideation and internalizing symptomatology were obtained.

Results: Maltreatment onset in infancy was significantly related to lifetime suicide ideation. The CD38 gene variation moderated this association such that early onset maltreatment was related to suicide ideation among C-carriers only. The OXTR gene did not relate to lifetime suicide ideation, nor did it moderate early onset maltreatment risk.

Limitations: This study was conducted with a relatively small sample, necessitating the combination of genotypes into binary groups. Replication is necessary.

Conclusions: Child maltreatment experienced early in development confers significant risk for lifetime suicide ideation. Furthermore, greater risk for suicide ideation was present for those with specific oxytocin genotypes. These findings further emphasize the importance of preventive interventions aimed at decreasing the incidence of maltreatment and increasing support for high risk families.

Keywords: CD38; Child maltreatment; OXTR; Oxytocin; Polymorphism; Suicide ideation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Angelakis I, Gillespie EL, Panagioti M, 2019. Childhood maltreatment and adult suicidality: a comprehensive systematic review with meta-analysis. Psychol. Med. 49, 1057–1078. doi: 10.1017/S0033291718003823 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ, van Ijzendoorn MH, 2008. Oxytocin receptor (OXTR) and serotonin transporter (5-HTT) genes associated with observed parenting. Soc. Cogn. Affect. Neurosci. 3, 128–134. doi: 10.1093/scan/nsn004 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Barnett D, Manly JT, Cicchetti D, 1993. Defining Child Maltreatment: The interface between policy and research, in: Advances in Applied Developmental Psychology: Child Abuse, Child Development and Social Policy. pp. 7–73.
    1. Bartz J, Hollander E, 2006. The neuroscience of affiliation: Forging links between basic and clinical research on neuropeptides and social behavior. Horm. Behav. 50, 518–528. doi: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2006.06.018 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bartz JA, McInnes LA, 2007. CD38 regulates oxytocin secretion and complex social behavior. BioEssays 29, 837–841. doi: 10.1002/bies.20623 - DOI - PubMed

Publication types