Converging evidence from family, twin, adoption, brain biochemistry, and nuclear biological studies suggests that vulnerability to suicide may be genetically determined. Secondly, there is evidence that the predisposition to suicide remains latent until it becomes activated during puberty. Thirdly, for a suicide attempt to occur, the activated predisposition must be triggered by a stressor. This three-stage developmental model is shown to be consistent with some major demographic, epidemiological, and other correlates of suicide.
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