Childhood adversities as risk factors for onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour

Background Suicide is a leading cause of death worldwide, but the precise effect of childhood adversities as risk factors for the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour (suicide ideation, plans and attempts) are not well understood. Aims To examine the associations between childhood adversities as risk factors for the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour across 21 countries worldwide. Method Respondents from nationally representative samples (n = 55 299) were interviewed regarding childhood adversities that occurred before the age of 18 years and lifetime suicidal behaviour. Results Childhood adversities were associated with an increased risk of suicide attempt and ideation in both bivariate and multivariate models (odds ratio range 1.2-5.7). The risk increased with the number of adversities experienced, but at a decreasing rate. Sexual and physical abuse were consistently the strongest risk factors for both the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviour, especially during adolescence. Associations remained similar after additional adjustment for respondents` lifetime mental disorder status. Conclusions Childhood adversities (especially intrusive or aggressive adversities) are powerful predictors of the onset and persistence of suicidal behaviours.

US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH/NIH)[R01MH070884]

US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH/NIH)[MH077883]

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Pfizer Foundation

US Public Health Service[R13-MH066849]

US Public Health Service[R01-MH069864]

US Public Health Service[R01 DA016558]

Fogarty International Center (FIRCA/NIH)[R03-TW006481]

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

Eli Lilly & Company Foundation

Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc

GlaxoSmithKline and Bristol-Myers Squibb

State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)[03/00204-3]

Ministry of Health

National Center for Public Health Protection

Shenzhen Bureau of Health

Shenzhen Bureau of Science, Technology, and Information

Ministry of Social Protection

European Commission[QLG5-1999-01042]

European Commission[SANCO 2004123]

Piedmont Region (Italy)

Fondo de Investigacion Sanitaria, Institut de Salud Carlos III, Spain[FIS 00/00281]

Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnologia, Spain (SAF)[2000-158-CE]

Departament de Salut, Generalitat de Catalunya, Spain

Institut Be Salud Carlos III[CB06/02/0046]

Institut Be Salud Carlos III[RD06/0011]

WHO (India)

Israel National Institute for Health Policy and Health Services Research

National Insurance Institute of Israel

Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare[H13-SHOGAI-023]

Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare[H14-TOKUBETSU-026]

Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare[H16-KOKORO-013]

Lebanese Ministry of Public Health

WHO (Lebanon)

Janssen Cilag

Eli Lilly

GlaxoSmithKline

Roche

Novartis

National Institute of Psychiatry Ramon Be la Fuente (INPRFMDIES)[42801]

National Council on Science and Technology[CONACyT-G30544-H]

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

New Zealand Ministry of Health

Alcohol Advisory Council

Health Research Council

WHO (Geneva)

WHO (Nigeria)

Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria

Ministry of Public Health (former ministry of Health) with supplemental support of Eli Lilly Romania SRL

US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH/NIH)[R01-MH059575]

US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH/NIH)[R01-MH61905]

South African Department of Health

University of Michigan

US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH/NIH) with supplemental support from NIDA[U01-MH60220]

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)[044708]

John W. Alden Trus