Individual Contribution of Youth Antisocial Symptoms to Suicide Behavior in Adults with Substance Use Disorders

This study assesses the individual contribution of youth symptoms of antisocial personality disorder (before the age of 15) in past-month suicidal behavior in adults with substance use disorders. Youth antisocial symptoms and suicidal behavior were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Indicators of youth antisocial symptoms were significantly associated with suicide outcomes; lack of remorse (OR = 2.68 CI 95% 1.37, 5.25), and sexual assault with planning, and destruction of property to attempt (OR = 4.22 CI 95% 1.29, 15.08). Our results suggest that specific antisocial indicators during adolescence could be associated with suicide in adulthood, even after controlling for major depressive disorder. Further implications for the research of antisocial symptoms and suicide behavior from a developmental perspective are discussed.