Geographic proximity is associated with transmission of suicidal behaviour among siblings.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of 'contagion', or social transmission, in risk of suicidal behaviour (SB) among siblings.

Methods

We followed Swedish sibling pairs until one of them (S1; N = 111,848) was registered for a suicide attempt or completion. We tested the effect of geographic proximity between siblings on risk of a first SB registration of S1's sibling (S2). To control for familial confounding, we conducted complementary analyses of sibling trios (N = 701), comparing risk in different siblings as a function of their respective proximity to S1.

Results

The best-fitting model across sibling pairs included an effect of distance between siblings (HR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93-0.99). Hazard ratios declined quickly up to 25 km and largely stabi

SUBMITTER: Edwards AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6667185 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature