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Updated: Jan 21, 2026
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Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm
Published on: April 28, 2016
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Childhood maltreatment, neuropsychological function and suicidal behavior
Jamie Zelazny1, Nadine Melhem1, Giovanna Porta1
1Western Psychiatric Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Summary
Childhood maltreatment increases suicidal behavior risk. However, strong working memory and executive functions may protect against suicidal behavior, even with a history of mood disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Suicide is a leading cause of death in young individuals.
- Childhood maltreatment, neuropsychological deficits, and psychopathology are known risk factors for suicidal behavior.
- The interaction between these factors and their combined effect on suicidal behavior requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the associations between childhood maltreatment, neuropsychological functioning, and psychopathology with suicidal behavior.
- To investigate the interactive effects of these factors on suicidal behavior in offspring of depressed parents.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 382 offspring of depressed parents underwent neuropsychological assessments.
- Participants completed assessments of attention, memory, executive function, working memory, language fluency, and impulse control.
- Logistic regression and Bonferroni correction were used to analyze the relationships between maltreatment, neuropsychological function, psychopathology, and suicidal behavior.
Main Results:
- Childhood maltreatment was significantly associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior (ORs 2.40-4.43).
- Neuropsychological functioning was not found to be protective against the effects of maltreatment on suicidal risk.
- While mood disorders increased suicidal behavior risk, higher working memory (OR=0.21) and executive function (OR=0.15) scores were protective, even with a history of mood disorder.
Conclusions:
- Neuropsychological capacity, particularly in working memory and executive function, may offer protection against suicidal behavior.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms by which neuropsychological capacity mitigates suicidal behavior risk in depressed individuals.
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