Adolescent Physical Abuse and Risk for Suicidal Behaviors

Abstract

The present study assessed the contribution of physical abuse to increased risk for suicidal behaviors in physically abused adolescents compared with nonabused adolescents. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors were assessed using the Suicide Probability Scale. Physically abused adolescents had higher mean scores on the Hopelessness, Negative Self-Evaluation, Hostility, and Suicide Ideation subscales. Significant predictors of subscale and overall scores included parent and adolescent psychopathology, poor academic performance, and decreased family cohesiveness. Physical abuse was a significant predictor of negative self-evaluation scores. It was concluded that physically abused adolescents experienced a combination of risk factors related to increased suicidal thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. Furthermore, a model proposing an indirect relationship between physical abuse and suicide risk was described.