MONDAY, Sept. 9 (HealthDay News) -- Adopted offspring have increased odds of a reported suicide attempt, even after adjustment for factors associated with suicidal behavior, according to a study published online Sept. 9 in Pediatrics.
Margaret A. Keyes, Ph.D., from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and colleagues examined whether adoption status is associated with risk of suicide using data from the Sibling Interaction and Behavior Study which included 692 adopted and 540 non-adopted offspring.
The researchers found that for adoptees versus non-adoptees the odds of a reported suicide attempt were about four times higher (odds ratio, 4.23). The odds were attenuated slightly, but were still significantly increased, after adjustment for factors associated with suicidal behavior, including psychiatric disorder symptoms, personality traits, family environment, and academic disengagement (odds ratio, 3.70).
"Clinicians should be aware of increased potential for suicide attempt in adopted adolescents who manifest other risks for suicidal behavior," the authors write. "For researchers, continued inquiry into those factors mediating this increased risk may inform the larger investigation of suicidality in adolescents."
Abstract
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