What is the impact on children if a parent has a history of depression and suicide attempts?

Impact of Parental Depression and Suicide Attempt History on Children

Children of parents with depression and suicide attempt history are at significantly increased risk for developing anxiety disorders, depression, PTSD, and suicidal behavior themselves, requiring early intervention and comprehensive support services.

Psychological Impact on Children

Mental Health Disorders

• Children of parents with depression and suicide attempts show elevated rates of:
  • Anxiety disorders, particularly PTSD 1
  • Major depressive disorder 1, 2
  • Suicidal ideation and behavior 1, 2
  • Attention/hyperactivity problems 2
  • Externalizing behavioral problems 2

Timing and Progression of Impact

• Parental psychiatric symptoms (depression, PTSD, anxiety) directly correlate with the severity of children's symptoms 1
• Parental suicide attempts before a child's assessment at age 8 are associated with behavioral problems in childhood 2
• These childhood behavioral problems mediate the development of externalizing and attention/hyperactivity problems in adolescence 2
• Early-onset depression in children of parents with mood disorders and suicide attempts predicts earlier and greater risk of suicidal behavior 3

Risk Factors That Amplify Negative Outcomes

Family-Related Factors

• Not living with both biological parents 4
• Parent-child discord 4
• Physical or sexual abuse 1, 5
• Residential instability 4
• Family history of depression and substance abuse 4
• Impulsive aggression in the child 3

Exposure-Related Factors

• Actually witnessing the suicide attempt or viewing the scene afterward significantly increases risk of PTSD and anxiety disorders 1
• Children who feel they had knowledge of an impending suicide and failed to prevent it are at highest risk for prolonged depression and PTSD 1

Protective Factors

• Non-legal guardianship during child's upbringing 6
• Non-biological parenthood 6
• Higher levels of spirituality 5
• Strong family support systems 1

Intervention Approach

Immediate Intervention

• Psychoeducational counseling for children of parents with depression/suicide attempts 1
• Screening for depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation in children of affected parents 4
• Family-based interventions to decrease discord 4

Long-Term Support

• Promote grief processing and mourning 1
• Decrease the child's personal sense of guilt, trauma, and social isolation 1
• Provide treatment in individual meetings, group sessions with peers, or in conjunction with parents 1
• Monitor children for extended periods as effects can persist for years 1

School-Based Support

• Engage school professionals to identify grieving children who may need help 1
• Implement screening programs in schools to identify at-risk adolescents 1

Special Considerations

Age-Specific Impacts

• Prepubertal children primarily show disturbed intrafamilial relationships 1
• Adolescents more commonly experience peer-related conflicts 1
• Suicide risk increases with age, peaking between 19-23 years 1

High-Risk Groups Requiring Extra Attention

• Older male adolescents (16-19 years) 1
• LGBTQ+ youth 1
• Children with prior trauma or abuse history 1, 5
• Children with existing mental health conditions 1
• Children with impulsive-aggressive traits 3

Healthcare providers should prioritize early identification and intervention for children of parents with depression and suicide attempts, as this family history represents a significant risk factor for the development of serious mental health problems and suicidal behavior in these children.