Adolescent Victimization And Associated Suicidal And Violent Behaviors

Adolescence, Winter, 2000 by Sean D. Cleary

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between victimization and both suicidal and violent behaviors among 1,569 public high school students in New York State (excluding New York City). They had participated in the 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Survey and, based on their responses, were divided into four groups: no suicidal or violent behavior, suicidal behavior only, violent behavior only, and both suicidal and violent behaviors. Males reported significantly more victimization, less suicidal behavior, and more violent behavior compared with females. Logistic regression analyses indicated that all categories of suicidal/violent behaviors were more frequent among those who had been victimized compared with the nonvictimized, for both males and females. In addition, victimized males were over two times more likely than victimized females to report violent behavior only. Gender differences were not significant for victimized students in two groups, suicidal behavior only and both suicidal and violent behaviors, althoug h the results were in the hypothesized direction for suicidal behavior (e.g., females were more prone to suicidal behavior only). It was concluded that identifying and treating the victims of violence should be an integral component of suicide prevention programs and interventions aimed at reducing interpersonal violence in schools.

National data indicate that although mortality among American adolescents has declined by 13% over the past two decades, morbidity has increased (Sells & Blum, 1996). Research has shown that the greatest threat to adolescents' health is their own behavior (Resnick, Bearman, Blum, Bauman, Harris, Jones, et al., 1997). For example, interpersonal violence is responsible for many fatal and nonfatal injuries among adolescents (Cotton, Resnick, Browne, Martin, McCannahen, & Woods, 1994), and such violence has increased by 27% among youths aged 16 to 19 (Sells & Blum, 1996; Singh & Yu, 1996). Further, suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults (National Center for Health Statistics, 1997), and suicidal behavior has increased by 35% among those aged 15 to 19 (Sells & Blum, 1996; Singh & Yu, 1996).

Research has indicated that peer victimization may result in a negative self-evaluation (Crick & Bigbee, 1998), which in turn may lead to internalizing problems, such as depression, dissociation, or suicidal behavior (Briere, 1992). In contrast, a victim's negative evaluation of peers may result in self-control problems, such as aggressive behavior or fighting (Crick & Bigbee, 1998; Egeland & Sroufe, 1981; Friedrich, Beilke, & Urquiza, 1988). Thus, victimization may adversely affect developmental processes, predisposing the victim to serious adjustment problems in later life (Cicchetti & Lynch, 1993; Finkelhor, 1995; Parker & Asher, 1987).

A number of studies of adolescent risk behaviors have reported a relationship between suicidal and violence-related behaviors (Neumark-Sztainer, Story, French, Cassuto, Jacobs, & Resnick, 1996; Orpinas, Basen-Engquist, Grunbaum, & Parcel, 1995; Sosin, Koepsell, Rivara, & Mercy, 1995). Using national data from the 1990 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), Sosin, Koepsell, Rivara, and Mercy (1995) examined the relationship between fighting and various health risk behaviors. Results indicated that suicidal and violence-related behaviors (e.g., carrying a firearm) were more prevalent among students who reported fighting during the past 30 days. These findings held for both males and females. A study with a Texas sample (using the YRBS), Orpinas, Basen-Engquist, Grunbaum, and Parcel (1995) found an association between violence and suicidal behaviors. The most violent students, those who were involved in physical fights and carried a weapon, were at increased risk for drug use, promiscuous sexual behavior, suicidal behavior, poor self-esteem, and poor academic achievement. Another study of health risk behaviors included over 120,000 6th, 9th, and 12th graders in Minnesota and used the Minnesota Student Survey (Neumark-Sztainer, Story, French, Cassuto, Jacobs, & Resnick, 1996). Results indicated a moderate positive correlation between suicidal ideation and delinquency, defined as damaging property, engaging in fights, and stealing. These correlations were consistent across various racial/ethnic and gender groups. Overall, the findings from these studies indicate that suicidal and violence-related behaviors are associated, regardless of gender and racial group.

Fewer studies have examined the relationship between peer victimization and violence. A study conducted in Massachusetts using the YRBS investigated weapon-carrying and fighting on school property and their relationship to other health risk behaviors (DuRant, Kahn, Beckford, & Woods, 1997). Relationships between victimization and the frequency of weapon-carrying at school were apparent (the strongest involved having been threatened or injured with a weapon). The findings indicated that some weapon-carrying was for self-defense, and was probably due to previous victimization. Simon, Crosby, and Dahl-berg (1999) examined weapon-carrying using national data from the 1995 YRBS. Results indicated that being victimized at school-being offered drugs, having property stolen or damaged, being threatened or injured with a weapon, and missing school because one felt unsafe--was associated with weapon-carrying both on and off school grounds.