Childhood sexual abuse, bullying victimization, deliberate self-harm, and suicidal ideation: The mediating effect of multidimensional self-concept

• In Event: Exploring self-evaluation, self-concept, and self-focus

Abstract

Purpose
Deliberate self-harm (DSH), including non-suicidal and suicidal self-injury, is part of a rising public health concern among US adolescent girls. Those who experience victimization in the form of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and/or bullying victimization are at an increased risk of these concerning behaviors. This study aimed to examine whether multidimensional self-concept mediated the pathways between victimization and two types of self-harm.
Method
This two-year longitudinal sample included 422 adolescent girls ages 12-16 at baseline, one third with recently substantiated CSA and the other two thirds demographically and census matched. Fifty-one percent of the sample was exposed to bullying victimization as assessed via structured interviews at baseline. Path analyses assessed the role of global self-worth and six dimensions of self-concept as mediators of the relationship between CSA-exposure/bullying victimization with deliberate self-harm and suicidal ideation.
Results:
While we did not find evidence of mediation between CSA and DSH or suicidal ideation, we did find that CSA-exposure directly increased the odds of both DSH and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, for bullying victimization, we found evidence of complete mediation via global self-worth for DSH and suicidal ideation, but no mediation for any of the dimensions of self-concept. Additionally, the results suggest that both CSA and bullying victimization have unique effects on some of the individual dimensions of self-concept.
Conclusions:
The findings highlight areas of need in trauma-informed therapy and bullying prevention, including a focus on increasing trusting relationships, the reduction of shame, and overall well-being.

Authors

• Reeve S Kennedy, East Carolina University
  Presenting Author

• Carlomagno Panlilio, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

• Casey Mullins, University of Miami

• Charles Alvarado, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

• Sarah Font, Penn State University

• Ann-Christin Haag, Columbia University, Teachers College

• Jennie G. Noll, Pennsylvania State University, University Park