There are several possible families and/or genetic risk factors for suicide:
- Family history of depression
- A history of suicide in the family
- Premature birth and/or other fetal development issues
- Growing up with highly critical parents
- Being of Caucasian race
Is there a suicide gene
Since suicides seem to run in families, this factor has led some researchers to look for a potential genetic link. For example, researchers have found that serotonin, a chemical neurotransmitter in the brain, may play a part in suicides. People who commit suicide are thought to have dampened serotonin signaling. Some research has found higher rates of abnormalities in serotonin signaling genes among those who kill themselves. (Sanders, 2012) But it’s difficult to tell if this increase in suicide risk among certain families or lineages is truly genetic or simply the result of environmental and/or behavioral factors that are passed down through the generations.
There is no single “suicide gene” or simple genetic explanation for such behavior. If a genetic link exists, it is complicated. Anytime you hear a gene reported as a “suicide gene” or an “autism” gene or any other gene, you are being given grossly simplified information. Even when researchers do find an association between a particular gene and a disorder, it typically only explains 5% or 10% of the variance at most. Even in these instances, it’s important to remember that correlation does not equal causation.
What we do know is that for whatever reason, suicide risk is elevated in families with a history of addiction, depression, or prior suicides; factors which often coincide to one another. Suicide is also more prevalent among whites than it is among African Americans. The family environment and styles of parenting also play a role. For example, having highly critical parents can often predispose one towards suicide, creating high levels of self blame and self-criticism that are the fuel behind many self-destructive actions.
Early stage of life developmental issues can also increase a person’s risk of suicide. For example, it’s been found that baby boys born prematurely are 4-times more likely to attempt suicide later in life than those born at full term, possibly due to reduced serotonin activity in the brain. (Wenner, 2009B)