Reproductive status, family interactions, and suicidal ideation: Surveys of the general public and high-risk groups

Abstract

Evolutionary modeling predicts an erosion of self-preservative genetic expression in the conjunction of low reproductive potential and burdensomeness toward kin. Although culture and pathology clearly bear on human suicide, some of its emotional concomitants could reflect such evolution. A survey probing reproductive behavior, quality of family contacts, and suicidal ideation was administered to samples of the general public of Ontario and high-suicide-risk groups, including elderly, psychiatric, criminal psychiatric, and homosexual individuals. Within each sample, variance in suicidal ideation related to reproductive and family-social variables. Social isolation and perceived burdensomeness toward family were especially correlated with suicidal ideation.