Journal article
Common genetic contributions to high-risk trauma exposure and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors
Psychological Medicine, Vol.49(3), pp.421-430
2019
PMCID: PMC7410360
PMID: 29729685
Abstract
Background: Prior research has documented shared heritable contributions to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal ideation (SI) as well as NSSI and suicide attempt (SA). In addition, trauma exposure has been implicated in risk for NSSI and suicide. Genetically informative studies are needed to determine common sources of liability to all three self-injurious thoughts and behaviors, and to clarify the nature of their associations with traumatic experiences. Methods: Multivariate biometric modeling was conducted using data from 9526 twins [59% female, mean age = 31.7 years (range 24-42)] from two cohorts of the Australian Twin Registry, some of whom also participated in the Childhood Trauma Study and the Nicotine Addiction Genetics Project. Results: The prevalences of high-risk trauma exposure (HRT), NSSI, SI, and SA were 24.4, 5.6, 27.1, and 4.6%, respectively. All phenotypes were moderately to highly correlated. Genetic influences on self-injurious thoughts and behaviors and HRT were significant and highly correlated among men [rG = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.37-0.81)] and women [rG = 0.56 (0.49-0.63)]. Unique environmental influences were modestly correlated in women [rE = 0.23 (0.01-0.45)], suggesting that high-risk trauma may confer some direct risk for self-injurious thoughts and behaviors among females. Conclusions: Individuals engaging in NSSI are at increased risk for suicide, and common heritable factors contribute to these associations. Preventing trauma exposure may help to mitigate risk for self-harm and suicide, either directly or indirectly via reductions in liability to psychopathology more broadly. In addition, targeting pre-existing vulnerability factors could significantly reduce risk for life-threatening behaviors among those who have experienced trauma.
Details
- Title
- Common genetic contributions to high-risk trauma exposure and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors
- Authors
- L S Richmond-Rakerd (Corresponding Author) - Duke University, United StatesT J Trull (Author) - University of Missouri, United StatesI R Gizer (Author) - University of Missouri, United StatesKristin McLaughlin (Author) - University of Missouri, United StatesE M Scheiderer (Author) - University of Missouri, United StatesE C Nelson (Author) - Washington University School of Medicine, United StatesA Agrawal (Author) - Washington University School of Medicine, United StatesM T Lynskey (Author) - Kings College London, United KingdomP A F Madden (Author) - Washington University School of Medicine, United StatesA C Heath (Author) - Washington University School of Medicine, United StatesDixie J Statham (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringN G Martin (Author) - QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
- Publication details
- Psychological Medicine, Vol.49(3), pp.421-430
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Date published
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1017/S0033291718001034
- ISSN
- 0033-2917
- PMID
- 29729685; PMC7410360
- Organisation Unit
- School of Social Sciences - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99451436502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Psychology, Clinical
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