Victimization in Childhood as a Suicide Risk Factor in Adults

Abstract

Objective

Little is known about the predictive association between victimization among children and adolescents with depression and suicidal ideation in adults. The aim of our study was to examine whether victimization in childhood and early adolescence increases the likelihood of self-harming in adults.

Method

The sample consisted of 82 patients, 65 females and 17 males, aged 38.02 ± 11.05 years on average, hospitalized in Daily hospital. The juvenile victimization questionnaire (JVQ), defense style questionnaire (DSQ) and Beck depression inventory were applied in 48 patients following suicide attempt and in 34 patients who were on psychotherapeutic treatment due to various life crises not resulting in suicide attempt. According to indication, we excluded patients with psychosis, substances abuse and dementia. The examinees of both groups were matched by age, education, professional and marital status. Comparison of the patient groups was done by t-test.

Results

The suicide attempters were depressed (Beck depression inventory 19.13 ± 10.20), using immature defense mechanisms (P < 0.005). The JVQ established statistically differences in two general areas: Peer and Sibling Victimization (P < 0.001) and sexual victimization (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Even after controlling for lifetime factors known to increase the risk of suicidal behavior, adults who reported peer and sibling and sexual victimization in childhood were still more likely than other adults to attempt suicide later in life. Psychotherapists must understand that history of childhood victimization is important to put suicide attempt in a psychodynamic context which can help them in their work with patients’ psychotherapeutic crisis intervention following suicide attempt.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.