Parental mental health problems have long been known to convey risk to offspring for a number of negative outcomes including depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems (Radke-Yarrow and Klimes-Dougan 2002). Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have found associations between adolescent suicidal behavior and a family history of suicidal behavior, parent–child discord, and family dysfunction (Brinkman-Sull et al. 2000; Spirito et al. 2003; Wagner 1997). Family dysfunction has not persisted as an independent longitudinal predictor of adolescent suicidal behavior, however, after individual level variables, such as hopelessness and depression, are controlled (Brinkman-Sull et al. 2000; Spirito et al. 2003). To our knowledge, only one previous prospective study of psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents has examined family history of psychiatric condition (suicidal behavior, substance abuse, affective disorder) as a predictor of suicide attempts (Brent et al. 1993). This study examined univariate associations and found no significant relationship between parental psychopathology and adolescent suicide attempt; however, only 13 adolescents in this study made a suicide attempt prior to follow-up, which limited statistical power. Thus, the relationship between adolescent suicide attempt and parental psychopathology has yet to be explored fully.
