Adolescent physical abuse and risk for suicidal behaviors

The present study assessed the contribution of physical abuse to increased risk for suicidal behaviors in physically abused adolescents compared with nonabused adolescents. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors were assessed using the Suicide Probability Scale. Physically abused adolescents had higher mea n scores on the Hopelessness, Negative Self-Evaluation, Hostility, and Suic ide Ideation subscales. Significant predictors of subscale and overall scor es included parent and adolescent psychopathology, poor academic performanc e, and decreased family cohesiveness. Physical abuse was a significant pred ictor of negative self-evaluation scores. It was concluded that physically abused adolescents experienced a combination of risk factors related to inc reased suicidal thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors. Furthermore, a model pr oposing an indirect relationship between physical abuse and suicide risk wa s described.