Borders of influence: Exploring family dynamics of midlife suicidal behavior in an urban African-American cohort

Suicides rates are increasing in African-Americans, and epidemiologic review reveals midlife as a period of high risk for emerging suicidal behavior. Driven by studies suggesting older adults' psychosocial health is jeopardized by negative bonds, this study explores the role of maternal affect on suicidal behavior among middle-aged African-Americans. Data is collected from the Woodlawn project, which follows first grade children (N=1242) from 1966 living in a predominantly African-American community on the south-side of Chicago. Mothers and children are interviewed at multiple time points about a number of indicators including maternal anxiety and depression. At young adulthood, suicidal thoughts were more than twice as likely in males whose mothers reported high anxiety (OR=2.18, p<.10). In the current study, the relationship between recent maternal depression and child suicidal behavior at midlife is observed. Among cohort members responding, 37% express suicidal behavior at midlife. Researchers find a direct effect of recent maternal depression on child suicidal behavior at midlife (N=833, ages 40-42): Middle-aged children of mothers with severe depressive symptoms are more likely to think of death than those whose mothers report mild depression (31% vs. 47%, p<.05). Further analysis explores moderating factors of maternal depression and child suicidal behavior at midlife. These findings raise important questions about the threshold at which a protective family bond can become a risk factor for persons vulnerable to suicide. Observing data from inner-city African-Americans at midlife, the study expands knowledge on suicide risk that is essential to tailoring prevention efforts for this population.