Adverse experiences and suicidal ideation in adolescence: Exploring the link using the LONGSCAN samples.

Abstract

Objective Although widely studied in adults, the link between lifetime adversities and suicidal ideation in youth is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to explore this link in adolescents. Methods The analyses used a sample of 740 16-year-old youth in the LONGSCAN sample, and distinguished between childhood (before the age of 12) and adolescent (between age 12 and age 16) adversities. Results There was a significant link between cumulative lifetime adversities and suicidal ideation. There was no evidence that this link was moderated by gender. Childhood adversities moderated the effects of adolescent adversities on suicidal ideation; effects of adolescent adversities were strongest at low levels of childhood adversities. There was also some evidence supporting a specific cumulative model of the effects of adversities on suicidal ideation; the most predictive model included the sum of the following adversities: childhood physical abuse, childhood neglect, childhood family violence, childhood residential instability, adolescent physical abuse, adolescent sexual abuse, adolescent psychological maltreatment, and adolescent community violence. Conclusion The timing and nature of adversities are important in understanding youth suicidal ideation risk; in particular, adolescent maltreatment and community violence appear to be strong predictors. Preventing and appropriately responding to the abuse of adolescents has the potential to reduce the risk of suicidal ideation.

Life adversities and suicidal behavior in young individuals: a systematic review

“…The adversities examined included (1) sexual abuse and molestation (sexual abuse without sexual contact); physical abuse and maltreatment; child abuse and neglect not otherwise specified; (2) family dysfunction and exposure to domestic violence; (3) separation from or death of a biological parent, family member or close friend; parental divorce; (4) poor interpersonal relationships and breaking up with boyfriend/girlfriend; (5) victimization/distress at school. Based on the main findings from our selected studies, experience of adversities or negative life events was significantly related to youth suicidal behavior [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Another important finding was that some adversities are very common, as is the distress associated with experiencing multiple adversities [18,24].…”

“…For example, Thompson et al [23] confirmed that the number of lifetime adversities was associated with adolescent suicidal behavior, but also showed that the impact of adversities early in life could vary depending on whether they occurred during childhood or adolescence. Psychological maltreatment and sexual abuse had a lower impact if they occurred in childhood, and a higher impact if they were experienced in adolescence.…”

“…Several cross-sectional studies have found that sexual abuse is an independent predictor of suicidality in adolescence/early adulthood even after controlling for the presence of risk factors, such as major depression, hopelessness, and other life adversities [16,17]. There are also longitudinal studies demonstrating a link between physical/sexual abuse and neglect and youth suicidality [18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Some studies also investigated the roles of abuse and neglect relative to other adverse experiences.…”

“…For example, Thompson et al. [23] reported the existence of a significant link between cumulative lifetime adversities and suicidal ideation. Individually, however, the most predictive adversities of suicidal ideation were childhood physical abuse, childhood neglect, childhood family violence, childhood residential instability, adolescent physical abuse, adolescent sexual abuse, adolescent psychological maltreatment, and adolescent community violence.…”

Toward a more comprehensive understanding of interpersonal violence: Introduction to the special issue on interconnections among different types of violence.

“…Finally, Thompson et al (2012) examined the impact of exposure to multiple types of violence at different developmental periods on a critical mental health outcome: suicidal ideation. This study utilized the LONGSCAN data set, which tracked over 1300 youths from ages 4 to 16.…”