Journal
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY-REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE
Volume 67, Issue 5, Pages 361-370Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1177/07067437211053288
Keywords
fetal alcohol spectrum disorder; prenatal alcohol exposure; suicidality; suicidal ideation; suicide attempts; risk factors; biopsychosocial; mental health
Categories
Funding
- PolicyWise for Children Families [10028277]
- Canada FASD Research Network
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This study investigates the rate of suicidal ideation/attempts among individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and finds significant associations with factors such as substance use, history of trauma/abuse, and impaired affect regulation. These findings contribute to understanding the elevated risk of suicidality in this population and have implications for improving screening, prevention, and treatment approaches.
Objective Individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) experience a range of complex neurodevelopmental, psychological, and socioenvironmental vulnerabilities. There is growing evidence that suicidal ideation, attempts, and death by suicide are significant concerns within this population. In this study, we (1) determined the rate of suicidal ideation/attempts in a large group of individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) who were assessed for FASD in Canada and (2) investigated the associations between suicidal ideation/attempts and select demographic and biopsychosocial factors in this group. Method A secondary analysis of data from Canada's National FASD Database, a national repository of clinical information gathered through FASD assessment and diagnostic clinics across the country, was conducted. Descriptive analyses, chi-square/Fisher's exact tests, and binary logistic regression were used to examine demographic and biopsychosocial variables and their associations with suicidality. Results In our sample of 796 participants (M-age = 17.7 years, range = 6-59; 57.6% male) assessed for FASD, 25.9% were reported to experience suicidal ideation/attempts. Numerous demographic and biopsychosocial factors were found to be significantly associated with suicidal ideation/attempts. The strongest associations with suicidal ideation/attempts were substance use, history of trauma/abuse, and impaired affect regulation. Conclusions With this study, we contribute to the emerging evidence of elevated risk of suicidality among individuals with PAE/FASD and improve our understanding of factors that may exacerbate this risk. Findings have relevance for improving screening, prevention, and proactive treatment approaches for individuals with PAE and FASD, their families, and wider support systems.
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