This study investigates the contribution of posttraumatic stress symptoms to the prediction of suicidality among female adolescent survivors of sexual abuse. A one-year prospective study of 52 female survivors aged 12 to 18 years was conducted. A negative binomial regression analysis revealed that depressive symptoms as well as posttraumatic stress symptoms associated with the sexual trauma were significant predictors of suicidal ideations a year later. Posttraumatic stress symptoms remained a significant predictor of suicidal ideations even when controlling for depressive symptomatology and the presence of a past suicide attempt, thus emphasizing the relevance of posttraumatic stress symptoms in regard to suicidality in sexually abused youths. Results are discussed within the context of therapeutic modalities for survivors of a sexual trauma.

This study explored the clinical profiles of 77 female teenager survivors of sexual abuse and examined the association of abuse-related and personal variables with suicidal ideations. Analyses revealed that 64% of participants experienced suicidal ideations. Findings from classification and regression tree analysis indicated that depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and hopelessness discriminated profiles of suicidal and nonsuicidal survivors. The elevated prevalence of suicidal ideations among adolescent survivors of sexual abuse underscores the importance of investigating the presence of suicidal ideations in sexual abuse survivors. However, suicidal ideation is not the sole variable that needs to be investigated; depression, hopelessness and posttraumatic stress symptoms are also related to suicidal ideations in survivors and could therefore guide interventions.

Une étude réalisée auprès de 52 adolescentes ayant été victimes d’agression sexuelle et provenant du Centre jeunesse de Montréal, du Centre jeunesse de la Montérégie et du Centre d’intervention en abus sexuel pour la famille de Gatineau (CIASF) a permis de documenter la prévalence des idéations suicidaires dans cet échantillon. L’objectif de cette étude était d’investiguer les stratégies d’adaptation utilisées par ces participantes pour faire face à l’agression sexuelle (recherche de soutien social, réévaluation positive / résolution de problèmes et évitement / distanciation). De plus, les liens existants entre les stratégies de coping et les idéations suicidaires ont été explorés. Les résultats indiquent que les adolescentes ayant été victimes d’agression sexuelle et ayant un désir suicidaire élevé se distinguent des victimes non suicidaires ou légèrement suicidaires, au niveau des stratégies d’adaptation employées pour faire face à l’agression sexuelle vécue. Finalement, l’implication de ces résultats en matière d’intervention est abordée afin d’orienter les pratiques des intervenants côtoyant des adolescentes présentant une double problématique (agression sexuelle et idéations suicidaires).Fifty-two female sexual abuse victims aged 12 to 17 years old were interviewed as part of a research project. They were recruited in three different settings : Centre jeunesse de Montreal, Centre jeunesse de la Montérégie and Centre d’intervention en abus sexuel pour la famille (CIASF) in Gatineau. The aim of the project was to document the prevalence of suicidal ideations in the sample and to explore the coping strategies (seeking social support, problem-solving and avoidance/distanciation) used by participants to face the sexual abuse. Moreover, the relationship between coping strategies and the presence/absence of suicidal ideations was investigated. Results indicate that sexually abused adolescents who present high suicidal intent differ from non-suicidal or low intent suicidal participants with regards to coping strategies used to face the sexual abuse. Finally, in light of the results, therapeutic implications are discussed to guide clinical workers who intervene with teenagers displaying this double problem (sexual abuse and suicidal thoughts)

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