Psychological victimization in teen dating and suicide risk among Moroccan secondary school students : Fez city as a case study

Abstract

Introduction The exposure to psychological abuse has a serious impact on victims’ self-esteem and mental health, especially if it occurs in adolescence. Teenagers become at higher risks of developing suicidal ideation and attempts. In this regard, this study aimed at investigating the association between psychological victimization among Moroccan adolescents in dating relationships and suicide risk. Methods Data were collected using anonymous self- administered questionnaires distributed among a sample of 407 Moroccan students in private and public secondary schools in Fez city. Suicide risk was surveyed using The MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview version 5.0. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0. Results The average age of participants was 16.67 ± 1.71, and 47.2 % of respondents were females. Nearly 28 % of students were in middle school. Concerning parents’ education, about 34.3 % of participants’ fathers had completed primary education, while most mothers (40 %) were illiterate. The vast majority of students (92 %) lived with both parents and 41.5 % were from families of low income. Psychological victimization and suicide risk were significantly associated OR = 2.18 ; 95 % CI (1.39–3.40), and psychological victimization was more prevalent among males (55.9 %) than among females (44.1 %). Nevertheless, the psychological victimization in females was highly associated with suicide ideation OR = 2.65 ; 95 % CI (1.70–4.13), and with suicide attempts OR = 1.82 ; 95 % CI (1.11–2.97). Conclusion The fact that both male and female daters were highly affected by psychological violence and that female victims were at higher suicide risk entails the integration of psychological assistance inside Moroccan schools.