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Suicidal behavior in surviving co-twins.

Maurizio Pompili1, Piera Maria Galeandro, David Lester

  • 1McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, usa. maurizio.pompili@uniroma1.it

Twin Research and Human Genetics : the Official Journal of the International Society for Twin Studies
|October 13, 2006
PubMed
Summary
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Familial risk for suicide is supported by twin studies, with higher concordance in identical twins. This research explores intense grief in twins following a co-twin suicide.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Genetics
  • Grief Studies

Background:

  • Familial risk for suicide is well-documented, with twin studies suggesting a genetic component.
  • Identical twins show higher suicide concordance rates than fraternal twins.
  • Previous research indicates increased suicidal behavior in surviving monozygotic (MZ) twins after a co-twin's suicide.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the intense grief experienced by twins after the suicide of their co-twin.
  • To differentiate between genetic predispositions and environmental factors (e.g., grief) contributing to suicide risk in twins.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing twin studies on suicide concordance and suicidal attempts.
  • Analysis of research on the psychological impact of sudden loss and bereavement, particularly suicide.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of studies comparing suicidal ideation in bereaved monozygotic (MZ) versus dizygotic (DZ) twins.

    • Main Results:

    • Twin studies consistently show higher suicide concordance in identical (MZ) twins compared to fraternal (DZ) twins.
    • Monozygotic twins exhibit a higher frequency of nonfatal suicidal attempts when their co-twin has died by suicide.
    • Research suggests that the loss of a twin, especially through suicide, may increase suicidal ideation and risk in the surviving twin.

    Conclusions:

    • The intense grief following a co-twin suicide is a significant factor influencing the surviving twin's mental state.
    • Distinguishing between shared genetic factors and the profound impact of grief is crucial for understanding suicide risk in twins.
    • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the interplay of genetic and environmental influences on suicidal behavior in the context of twin bereavement.