Abstract
BackgroundChildhood adversities have been associated with a number of medical and psychiatric outcomes. However, the reported effects that specific childhood adversities have on suicidality vary across studies.MethodThis was a cross-sectional, stratified, multistage area probability investigation of a general population in Brazil, designated the São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey. The World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview was applied in 5037 individuals ≥ 18 years of age, in order to assess 12 different adversities occurring during childhood and/or adolescence, as well as to look for associations between those adversities and subsequent suicidality in different age strata.ResultsOver half of the respondents reported at least one childhood adversity. Only physical abuse was consistently associated with suicide attempts in all subsequent life stages (OR = 2.1). Among adults 20–29 years of age, the likelihood of a suicide attempt was correlated with parental divorce, whereas suicidal ideation was associated with prior sexual abuse. Among adults over 30 years of age, physical illness and economic adversity emerged as relevant childhood adversities associated with suicide attempts, whereas sexual abuse, family violence, and economic adversity were associated with suicidal ideation.ConclusionChildhood adversities, especially physical abuse, are likely associated with unfavorable consequences in subsequent years. For suicidality across a lifespan, the role of different childhood adversities must be examined independently.
Highlights
During the early developmental stages of life, individuals experience a constellation of negative life events, such as parental pathology, sexual abuse, and economic deprivation, which are known as childhood adversities
Among adults 20–29 years of age, the likelihood of a suicide attempt was correlated with parental divorce, whereas suicidal ideation was associated with prior sexual abuse
Among adults over 30 years of age, physical illness and economic adversity emerged as relevant childhood adversities associated with suicide attempts, whereas sexual abuse, family violence, and economic adversity were associated with suicidal ideation
Summary
During the early developmental stages of life, individuals experience a constellation of negative life events, such as parental pathology, sexual abuse, and economic deprivation, which are known as childhood adversities. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between suicide attempts and exposure to childhood adversities, as well as demonstrating a doseresponse gradient between the number of childhood adversities and the odds of suicidality [1, 2]. Most studies on childhood adversity have been conducted in high-income countries [1, 3,4,5,6]. One exception was a comprehensive study that examined the association between childhood adversity and suicidality in a cross-national sample, in high- and low-income countries [7]. Knowledge of the association between early adversities and suicide remains limited. Childhood adversities have been associated with a number of medical and psychiatric outcomes. The reported effects that specific childhood adversities have on suicidality vary across studies.
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