The Role of Childhood Adverse Events with Suicide Attempts: An Examination of Incarcerated Women

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Suicide rates for incarcerated women are nearly as high as men’s rates and are double the rate of non-incarcerated women. Incarcerated women report a higher number of childhood adverse events compared to women in the community, which are risk factors for suicide. However, it is less known which type(s) of childhood adverse events are associated with suicide attempts. To address this issue, a clinical interview was reviewed for a sample of 38 incarcerated women. The interview assessed childhood emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and parental substance abuse and/or mental illness, parental dynamics, and family violence. Participants’ responses were coded as “yes” or “no”, and a count variable totaled the number of adverse events for each woman. Logistic regressions were performed to examine the relationship between each childhood adverse event and suicide attempts and between the cumulative adversities and suicide attempts. Emotional abuse and cumulative adversity were significant concerns. With every increase in the number of adverse events, the risk of suicide attempt increased by 2 times. These findings spotlight the need for suicide prevention interventions to incorporate the effects of childhood adversity, particularly, cumulative adversity.

Authors

• Carmen Tassie Hillier, Michigan State University

• Gina Fedock, Michigan State University

• Sheryl Pimlott Kubiak, Michigan State University