Negative peer social interactions and oxytocin levels linked to suicidal ideation in anxious youth

Abstract

Background-Anxious youth are at risk for negative peer interactions including peer victimization, and for suicidal ideation. However, data about the pattern of association between these two factors are scarce. In this study we examined the association between negative peer interactions and suicidal ideation in a sample of children and adolescents with anxiety disorders, and whether oxytocin, which has been shown to enhance the impact of social events, moderates the impact of negative peer interactions on suicidal ideation. Method-Participants were 168 youths with primary anxiety disorders. All participants were assessed with semi-structured diagnostic interviews, and with self-report measures of suicidal ideation, negative peer interactions, anxiety, and depression. The anxious youths' salivary oxytocin levels were measured with immunoassay. Results-Thirty percent of the anxious youths reported suicidal ideation, with suicidal ideation severity associated with negative peer social interactions and depressive symptoms. Consistent with past data indicating that oxytocin enhances the impact of social events, the association between peer negative social interactions and suicidal ideation was stronger in youths with high oxytocin levels than in youths with low levels (i.e., moderation). Limitations-Assessment focused on suicidal ideation and data on suicidal behavior were not available. Limitations inherent to immunoassay measurement of peripheral oxytocin levels are noted.

Imaging suicidal thoughts and behaviors: a comprehensive review of 2 decades of neuroimaging studies

“…In addition, a generation of new methods to identify other currently implicated and novel molecular mechanisms is needed. For example, a link between oxytocin and SI was recently suggested [208].…”

“…Future studies should also further investigate the more elusive subjective aspects of suicide risk, such as SI, as well as implicated psychological constructs such as hopelessness, rumination, and anhedonia [209][210][211], which may be relevant across diagnoses. Similarly, social experiences such as childhood maltreatment and peer bullying form a strong prelude to STB in later life [208,212,213], and impact on the neural structures implicated in STB (e.g., DMPFC structure and function [214,215]). Therefore, adverse experiences should be taken into account in future studies on the neurobiology of STB.…”

Assessment of Disrupted Brain Structural Connectome in Depressive Patients With Suicidal Ideation Using Generalized Q-Sampling MRI

“…Studies could also investigate more aspects of suicidal risks, such as hopelessness and rumination (Miranda and Nolen-Hoeksema, 2007). Furthermore, there is a consensus indicating that childhood trauma may be related to the development of depression (Negele et al, 2015); moreover, childhood abuse and peer bullying could form a prelude to suicidal ideation or behaviors in the future (Peyre et al, 2017;Lebowitz et al, 2019). Therefore, social experiences should also be investigated in future studies since advanced interventions for psychiatric disorders may reduce the burden of suicide and may be helpful for clinical diagnoses.…”

Oxytocin Pathway Genes (CD38, OXTR) and Psychosocial Characteristics Defined According to Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in Urban Siberian Adolescents: A School-based Study

“…Later, the same authors showed that carriers of the A allele of rs3796863 were more sensitive to unsupportive social interactions with their peers (relationships that bring pain, suffering, sadness, isolation, rejection, and troubles) [40]. Lebowitz et al found that the influence of negative relationships with peers more often led to suicidal ideations in adolescents with high levels of OT in saliva, which also supports the hypoth esis of OT-mediated excessive social sensitivity [53].…”