Psychopathology and Suicide Risk in Adolescence: the Role of Early Traumatic Experiences
Poster C64, Saturday, October 22, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Le Baron
Francesca Fagioli1, Paola Venturini2, Laura Sapienza2, Michele Procacci1, Maurizio Pompili2; 1Department of Mental Health, Rome E Health Trust Adolescents Department Via Plinio 31, Rome, Italy, 2Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Functions, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant’Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy;
Few studies investigated the direct impact of early traumatic experiences on suicide risk in adolescent. The first objective of this study is to assess suicide risk in a sample of help-seeking young patients. Moreover, we explored the associations between trauma, psychopathology and suicide risk. We recruited 99 outpatients aged between 14 and 21 years admitted to department for prevention and early intervention in adolescence of Rome. We administered the Childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ), the Suicide History Score Scale (SHSS), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Cambridge Depersonalization Scale (CDS), Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and Anxiety (HAM-A). More than 30% of patients were at increased suicide risk. SHSS showed positive and significant correlations with HAM-D (r = 0,40; p < 0,01), BHS (r = 0,35; p < 0,01), CDS (r = 0,37; p < 0,01) and CTQ (r = 0.6; p < 0,01). All CTQ sub-dimensions (neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and physical abuse) were positively correlated to SHSS. A hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between SHSS and its associated variables. Statistical model explained from 25% to 45% of variance. At the last block, HAM-D (β = 0,24; p < 0,05), emotional abuse (β= 0,22; p < 0,05) and physical abuse (β = 0,27; p < 0,05), are all variables independently associated to suicide risk. Therefore depressive symptoms, childhood emotional and physical abuse increase suicide risk in adolescence. Clinical implications of these findings will be addressed.
Topic Area: Stress Responsivity