Do Childhood Adversities Predict Suicidality? Findings from the General Population of the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo, Brazil

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.

Unaccompanied Children Migrating from Central America: Public Health Implications for Violence Prevention and Intervention

“…While the majority of ACE research has occurred in domestic samples or other high income countries, several studies have documented similar patterns between ACEs and later health and well-being in South American countries [42, 43]. For example, early adversity has been associated with substance abuse and mental health issues in Brazilian samples [42, 43].…”

“…For example, early adversity has been associated with substance abuse and mental health issues in Brazilian samples [42, 43]. In addition, a review of childhood adversity in low-income countries found that varying types of adversity were linked to a number of mental health outcomes, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression [44].…”

The differential impact of oxytocin receptor gene in violence‐exposed boys and girls

“…Multiple studies have linked violence and externalizing behavior. Children and adolescents exposed to domestic violence and physical abuse exhibit higher rates of externalizing behavior, premeditated aggression, fighting, and trouble in schools (Moylan, 2010;Deater-Deckard, 1998;Aisenberg and Herrenkohl, 2008), which subsequently is associated with adult criminal violence and higher suicide rates (Farrington, 1991;Swogger and et al, 2015;Coêlho et al, 2016). This link between violence and aggression appears to be stronger in boys, although this may reflect increased exposure to violence in boys (Deater-Deckard and Dodge, 1997;Brookmeyer et al, 2005;Ozer and Weinstein, 2004;Selner-O'Hagan, 1998;Martel, 2013).…”

A influência da afetividade sobre a associação entre adversidades na infância e patologia da personalidade na vida adulta

“…coocorrentes; e associadas a uma variedade de desfechos negativos ao longo da vida, como transtornos psiquiátricos, condições médicas gerais, incapacidade e mortalidade precoce [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] . Em Canberra, Austrália, 59,5% dos adultos relataram alguma AI e 37%, dois ou mais desses eventos.…”

“…These items were shown to be significant predictors of one 134 or more of the DSM-IV personality disorders Clusters (A, B and C) or the overall 135 diagnosis of any personality disorder (including personality disorder not otherwise 136 specified) assessed by a clinician-administered IPDE [30,31]. 137 Responses to these questions were combined to generate diagnoses based on a 138 calibration study with a probability subsample of Part II respondents (n=214) of the US 139 National Comorbidity Survey Replication, oversampling those who screened positive [3].…”