Connectedness with FAMILY and Suicide Ideation and Attempts AMONG CHILDREN of Alcoholics

Background: Connectedness with others has been associated with decreased risk for suicide and is a recommended strategy for the development of prevention programs. However, the nature of the relationships, whether connectedness moderates risk associated with factors that increase the probability of suicide (protective effect) or independently decreases risk for suicide (promotive effect), has not been previously determined. To answer this question, we conducted a study to determine the relationships between connectedness with parents and siblings and suicide among children of alcoholics. Methods: We examined a cohort of 1,720 children who were assessed at two time points: at enrollment (Time 1, childhood/early adolescence) and 2) approximately five years later (Time 2, adolescence/early adulthood). Generalized equation models (GEE) examined influences of connectedness with parents and siblings using a three-level measure of suicide ideation and attempt (no suicidal behaviors, suicide ideation, suicide plan or attempt). We ran separate models to examine connectedness with mothers, fathers, siblings, and a summary measure of connectedness with parents. Results: We found evidence of statistically significant decreases in the probability of suicide ideation or plans/attempts associated with connectedness with mothers (OR: .90, 9.95%CI: .82-.98), fathers (OR: .93, 9.95%CI: .87-.99), siblings (OR: .88, 9.95%CI: .79-.97), and a summary measure of parent connectedness (OR: .95, 9.95%CI: .91-.98) Discussion: Results from this study support previous reports of decreased probability of suicidal behaviors resulting from connectedness with others and suggest that connectedness may confer an independent (i.e. promotive) rather than moderating (i.e. protective) influence.