Suicide behavior in parents with alcohol abuse problems and suicide behavior in their offspring—Adult offspring and counselor perspectives

Abstract

Background: Suicide behavior is relatively common in families with alcohol problems. Aims: This study explores associations between suicide behavior in parents with alcohol abuse problems and suicide behavior in their offspring. It aims to expand our understanding of the varied experiences of treatment-seeking young adults who grew up in families with alcohol problems. Methods: 344 young adult children of alcoholics (ACAs) entering a Danish center for ACA counseling were surveyed about their childhood experiences regarding their own and their parents’ attempted, threatened and completed suicide behavior. Results: Parental suicide behavior was strongly associated with parental drinking; 46% of ACAs reported parental threatened, attempted or completed suicide behavior during their childhood, 13% of ACAs reported threatening suicide themselves, 15% of ACAs reported attempting suicide themselves. At least 54% of ACAs who had attempted suicide had done so without previously threatening suicide. There was a significant association between ACAs whose parents had committed suicide and ACAs who had attempted suicide during their childhood. There was also a significant association between ACAs where both parents had suicide behavior and ACA childhood suicide behavior. Conclusion: The study stresses the importance of addressing and assessing the family history of suicidal behavior in ACAs seeking counseling.