Impact of child sexual abuse on suicidal behavior in a population of Moroccan women with severe psychiatric disorders: Impact des abus sexuels à l'enfance sur les comportements suicidaires chez une population de femmes marocaines atteintes de troubles psychiatriques sévères

Abstract

BackgroundChild sexual abuse (CSA) was associated with an increased risk of suicidal behavior. AimsEvaluate the impact of child sexual abuse on suicidal behavior in a population of Moroccan women with severe psychiatric disorders. MethodA cross-sectional study was carried out at the psychiatry department of Mohammed VI University Hospital Center in Oujda (Morocco). Results400 women with psychiatric disorders were included. 5% of the patients in our sample had a history of CSA, and the average age at the time of sexual abuse was 12.5 ± 3.4 years old, ranging from 4 to 18. 25.5% of the patients had a history of a lifetime suicide attempts. The prevalence (7.8% vs. 4%, p = 0.078), and the number of the lifetime suicide attempts (6.25 ± 4.68 Vs 2.59 ± 2.69, p = 0.0008), were significantly higher in sexually abused patients. Jumping from heights was the most common method of suicide attempts among sexually abused patients (p = 0.0055). In addition CSA is significantly more frequent among patients with borderline personality disorder (p = 0.0034), and those who use tobacco (28% vs. 8.5%, p = 0.00007), cannabis (38.5% vs. 4%, p = 0.00018), and alcohol (45.5% vs. 4%, p = 0.00007). LimitationsThe cross-sectional design, as well as the non-performance of logistic regression, were the main limitations of our study. ConclusionCSA significantly influences suicidal behavior in women with severe psychiatric disorders. CSA screening and evaluation could prevent suicidal behavior and improve patients' overall quality of life.