Citation

Marusic A. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 77.

Affiliation

Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Slovenia, Trubarjeva 2, 1000 Ljubljana and University of Primorska, Titov trg 4, 6000 Koper, Slovenia. andrej.marusic@upr.si.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16963987

Abstract

As with other complex traits it is reasonable to argue that the liability to commit suicide is contributed to by multiple genetic and environmental factors and their interactions, and only those whose liability at some point exceeds a certain threshold actually manifest as attempted or completed suicide. Interactions between genetic and environmental factors occur at different moments (life events or associations to them) and at several stages (vulnerabilities) in the development of suicidal behaviour. Life events or associations to them are indeed crucial moments in the development from suicidal ideation to suicidal intent, from suicidal attempt to suicide completion. As stated by Paykel himself, in suicide attempts there are stronger and more immediate effects of life events than in depression. In the same way as in the relationship between life events and depression, some kinds of suicidal ideation and behaviours are more related to life events than others. Similarly, the same life event can impact the development of the suicidal process differently, depending on the stage of the suicidal process. Furthermore, violent suicides may be lacking association with life events usually found in suicidal behaviour in general. Also, recent life events may have a lesser causal role in those with severe or recurrent mental illness. Without any doubts, causative chains are multifactorial and complex, and even genetic factors can influence life event exposure. Accordingly, one of the main aims of this plenary will be to disentangle between genetic and environmental basis of the relationship between life events and suicidal behaviour.

Language: en