Dataset Information

Geographic proximity is associated with transmission of suicidal behaviour among siblings.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to clarify the role of 'contagion', or social transmission, in risk of suicidal behaviour (SB) among siblings. METHODS:We followed Swedish sibling pairs until one of them (S1; N = 111,848) was registered for a suicide attempt or completion. We tested the effect of geographic proximity between siblings on risk of a first SB registration of S1's sibling (S2). To control for familial confounding, we conducted complementary analyses of sibling trios (N = 701), comparing risk in different siblings as a function of their respective proximity to S1. RESULTS:The best-fitting model across sibling pairs included an effect of distance between siblings (HR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93-0.99). Hazard ratios declined quickly up to 25 km and largely stabilized beyond 150 km. Across all pairs, a larger age difference between siblings was associated with reduced SB risk (HR = 0.96 95% CI = 0.93-0.98). Findings were consistent within the sibling trios. CONCLUSIONS:Consistent with the concept of suicide contagion, risk of suicidal behaviour subsequent to a sibling's suicide completion or attempt is higher as a function of sibling closeness. These findings are robust to potentially confounding familial factors.

SUBMITTER: Edwards AC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6667185 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Geographic proximity is associated with transmission of suicidal behaviour among siblings.

Edwards A C AC Ohlsson H H Mościcki E K EK Sundquist J J Sundquist K K Kendler K S KS

Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica 20190610 1

<h4>Objective</h4>The aim of this study was to clarify the role of 'contagion', or social transmission, in risk of suicidal behaviour (SB) among siblings.<h4>Methods</h4>We followed Swedish sibling pairs until one of them (S1; N = 111,848) was registered for a suicide attempt or completion. We tested the effect of geographic proximity between siblings on risk of a first SB registration of S1's sibling (S2). To control for familial confounding, we conducted complementary analyses of sibling trios ...[more]

PMID: 31102549

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Project description:AimTo analyse recommended interventions for the safe and responsible dissemination of suicidal behaviour in the media for preventive purposes.BackgroundSuicide is a serious public health problem that leads to more than 700,000 deaths per year, which translates into one death every forty seconds. The media play a significant role in shaping public perceptions and reflecting societal issues. Because of its active role in the construction of reality, the way in which the media report and expose suicidal behaviour has the capacity to influence the population in either a preventive or harmful way.DesignAn umbrella review was carried out and a report was written according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Overviews of Reviews.MethodsWe systematically searched for reviews published from inception to February 2023 in MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL and PsycInfo (via EBSCOhost), Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A narrative synthesis of the results was conducted.ResultsSix systematic reviews with a moderate to high quality level were selected. Among the recommended interventions were the inclusion of positive messages of hope, resilience, or of overcoming the event, narratives with information on available resources or the promotion of support-seeking attitudes as an effective prevention mechanism, as well as the avoidance of repetitive reporting of the same suicide. The appropriate and responsible dissemination of information on suicidal behaviour in the media with complete and up-to-date information on available centres, organisations, institutions, and resources has proven to be effective, especially in vulnerable populations.ConclusionEducating and training the media in an appropriate approach to disseminating suicidal behaviour helps to reduce the number of suicidal behaviours. Knowing what information is advisable to include in the news item as well as what information to avoid is a strong point. Guidelines to promote responsible media reporting are a key component of suicide prevention strategies. This study was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on 23 April 2022 with the registration number CRD42022320393.

Project description:Autistic individuals experience significantly elevated rates of childhood trauma, self-harm and suicidal behaviour and ideation (SSBI). Is this purely the result of negative environmental experiences, or does this interact with genetic predisposition? In this study we investigated if a genetic predisposition for autism is associated with childhood trauma using polygenic scores (PGS) and genetic correlations in the UK Biobank (105,222 < N < 105,638), and tested potential mediators and moderators of the association between autism, childhood trauma and SSBI. Autism PGS were significantly associated with childhood trauma (max R2 = 0.096%, P < 2 × 10-16), self-harm ideation (max R2 = 0.108%, P < 2 × 10-16), and self-harm (max R2 = 0.13%, P < 2 × 10-16). Supporting this, we identified significant genetic correlations between autism and childhood trauma (rg = 0.36 ± 0.05, P = 8.13 × 10-11), self-harm ideation (rg = 0.49 ± 0.05, P = 4.17 × 10-21) and self-harm (rg = 0.48 ± 0.05, P = 4.58 × 10-21), and an over-transmission of PGS for the two SSBI phenotypes from parents to autistic probands. Male sex negatively moderated the effect of autism PGS on childhood trauma (β = -0.023 ± 0.005, P = 6.74 × 10-5). Further, childhood trauma positively moderated the effect of autism PGS on self-harm score (β = 8.37 × 10-3 ± 2.76 × 10-3, P = 2.42 × 10-3) and self-harm ideation (β = 7.47 × 10-3 ± 2.76 × 10-3, P = 6.71 × 10-3). Finally, depressive symptoms, quality and frequency of social interactions, and educational attainment were significant mediators of the effect of autism PGS on SSBI, with the proportion of effect mediated ranging from 0.23 (95% CI: 0.09-0.32) for depression to 0.008 (95% CI: 0.004-0.01) for educational attainment. Our findings identify that a genetic predisposition for autism is associated with adverse life-time outcomes, which represent complex gene-environment interactions, and prioritizes potential mediators and moderators of this shared biology. It is important to identify sources of trauma for autistic individuals in order to reduce their occurrence and impact.

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Geographic proximity is associated with transmission of suicidal behaviour among siblings.

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Geographic proximity is associated with transmission of suicidal behaviour among siblings.

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