Multiple mechanisms of influence may explain the relationship between parental mental health problems and adolescent suicidality. Parental psychopathology may influence adolescent suicide risk indirectly by contributing to youth psychopathology. Mood disorders, substance use disorders, and antisocial behavior (all of which increase risk for adolescent suicide attempt) are known to have a genetic component (e.g., Arseneault et al. 2003; Merikangas et al. 1998; Sullivan et al. 2000). Additionally, parental mental health problems impact offspring psychopathology and therefore suicide risk via environmental pathways, such as detrimental family circumstances (e.g., non-intact family, family discord, stressful events), poor parenting practices (e.g., harsh, inconsistent discipline, poor monitoring), and maltreatment (see Bridge et al. 2006). Finally, parental psychopathology may make additional contributions to poor outcomes in clinical populations via poor treatment adherence. For example, in a longitudinal study of suicidal adolescents, family dysfunction and less involved/affectionate fathers were linked with less follow-through with recommended psychotherapy, and mothers’ self-reported hostility was associated with less follow through with recommended pharmacotherapy (King et al. 1997). There are several pathways by which parental mental health problems may impact adolescent suicide risk.
