Is childhood trauma associated with lifetime suicide attempts in women with bulimia nervosa?

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the association between specific forms of childhood abuse and neglect with lifetime suicide attempts in women with bulimia nervosa (BN). Methods Two hundred and four women aged 18–65 (mean = 25.6 years, SD = 9.13) with full or subclinical BN were recruited in five US Midwestern communities and specialized eating disorder clinics. Participants completed questionnaires including the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and self-reported whether they had ever had a lifetime suicide attempt. Logistic regression analyses were used to predict lifetime suicide attempts from each subscale of the CTQ. Results Childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse were significantly associated with the presence of a lifetime suicide attempt in women with BN. Childhood emotional and physical neglect were not associated with suicide attempts. Conclusions Individuals with BN who have experienced childhood emotional and sexual abuse are at increased risk of a lifetime suicide attempt. Future research is needed to understand the mechanism to address in treatment and prevention efforts. It is important for clinicians to be aware of the potential increased risk of suicide in individuals with BN with a history of childhood abuse.

An empirical test of the interpersonal theory of suicide in a heterogeneous eating disorder sample

“…Individuals who have lifetime SI and who have been engaged in a variety of painful and provocative events may also be at elevated risk of SAs. This finding is consistent with previous research indicating increased risk of suicide in individuals with EDs who have experience childhood abuse …”

“…This finding is consistent with previous research indicating increased risk of suicide in individuals with EDs who have experience childhood abuse. 15,16 The present study has several strengths, including the use of a clinically based ED sample and anonymous online data collection that may have increased self-disclosure. 10,17 However, a few limitations should be noted.…”

Victimization in childhood as a suicide risk factor in adults

“…In Sexual victimization module, there are high statistical differences in Statutory Rape & Sexual Misconduct. Results of our investigation are in accordance with the reseaches by other authors that show that in childhood, girls were more often exposed to sexual abuse than boys 30 , and that sexual abuse increased the risk of multiple suicide attempts in adulthood 31 . Also, the women who had been sexually abused in the childhood were at a greater risk of committing suicide in adulthood 32 .…”

“…Or, she thinks something is wrong with her and the perpetrator was made to attack her because she deserved it. Self-indulgence prevents the process of healing of mental wounds after rape, which does not help recovery 13,[30][31][32][33][34][35] .…”

Meaning in Life Buffers the Association Between Risk Factors for Suicide and Hopelessness in Participants With Mental Disorders

“…Eating disorders are associated with an elevated risk of suicide, mainly in bulimia nervosa (e.g. Smith et al., ) and anorexia nervosa (Chesney et al., ). Therefore, these results suggest that meaning in life could buffer the relationship between suicide risk factors and hopelessness in a sample in which the majority of the participants were diagnosed with eating disorders.…”