Brent D A, Moritz G, Bridge J, Perper J, Canobbio R
Child Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA, USA.
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1996 May;35(5):646-53. doi: 10.1097/00004583-199605000-00020.
To determine the long-term impact of exposure to suicide on the friends of adolescent suicide victims.
One hundred sixty-six friends of suicide victims and unexposed community controls were followed up at periodic intervals up to 3 years after the suicide, using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children, Epidemiologic and Present Episode versions, to assess current and incident psychopathology.
The incidence of suicide attempts was comparable between groups over the entire follow-up period, despite higher rates of baseline and incident psychopathology in the exposed group. An increased incidence of depression and anxiety was found in friends that was most marked in the first 6 months of follow-up. An increased incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in those exposed was seen in the early as well as the later periods of follow-up. Those exposed youths who knew the suicide plans of the suicide victim were at the greatest risk for incident depression and PTSD over the entire course of follow-up.
Exposure to suicide does not result in an increased risk of suicidal behavior among friends and acquaintances, but it has a relatively long impact in terms of increased incidence of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
