Autism and suicidality: Review of risk factors in literature

Abstract

Introduction

There is emerging evidence that suicide and suicidal behavior frequently occur in people with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), although this topic is largely understudied. We have little understanding of suicidal behavior among individuals with ASD and there are no empirical data to guide practitioners in the treatment of suicidality in persons with ASD. There is a need to investigate risk factors associated with suicidal behavior in persons with ASD, to improve prevention strategies and interventions.

Objectives

To get an overview from literature of risk factors for suicidality in individuals with ASD.

Methods

Review of the literature using Cochrane Collaboration Centre, Embase, Medline, PsychINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science.

Results

In the literature, we found that, among already known risk factors like comorbid depression, an underlying vulnerability in personality may be a risk factor for suicidal behavior. Several studies showed that a high score on the temperament factor ‘novelty seeking’ and ‘harm avoidance’ is associated with suicidality. In other studies, where suicidality was not an object of study, adults with ASD showed high scores on ‘harm avoidance’ and low scores on ‘novelty seeking’. This suggests that personality profiles may be of predictive value for suicidality in adults with ASD. A study proposal focused on this possible association be presented.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.