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Published on: July 10, 2017
Recent victimization exposure and suicidal ideation in adolescents
Heather A Turner1, David Finkelhor, Anne Shattuck
1Crimes Against Children Research Center, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA. heather.turner@unh.edu
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|October 24, 2012
Summary
Recent child victimization, including peer, sexual, and maltreatment, significantly increases adolescent suicidal ideation risk. Polyvictimization, experiencing multiple types of harm, amplifies this risk substantially, highlighting the need for assessments.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Adolescent Mental Health
- Criminology
Background:
- Child victimization encompasses various forms, including peer, family, community, sexual, and maltreatment.
- Adolescent suicidal ideation is a critical public health concern with complex contributing factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the independent and cumulative impacts of diverse child victimization types on adolescent suicidal ideation.
- To analyze the association between past-year exposure to different victimization experiences and the likelihood of suicidal ideation.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal data from the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence (2008-2010) were utilized.
- A nationally representative sample of 1186 adolescents (aged 10-17) participated.
- Self-reported suicidal ideation and various victimization exposures (peer, sexual assault, family violence, community violence, maltreatment) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Peer victimization, sexual assault, and maltreatment independently increased the risk of suicidal ideation.
- Adolescents exposed to peer victimization had 2.4 times higher odds, sexual assault 3.4 times higher odds, and maltreatment 4.4 times higher odds of suicidal ideation.
- Polyvictimization (7+ types) was associated with nearly 6 times greater odds of suicidal ideation.
Conclusions:
- Recent child victimization is a significant predictor of adolescent suicidal ideation.
- Victimization assessments are crucial for identifying at-risk adolescents and informing intervention strategies.
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