Association between sexual abuse victimization during the life course and suicidal behaviors in male and female college students in China: Timing, duration, types and patterns

Abstract Background A certain link between sexual abuse (SA) victimization and suicidal behaviors has been confirmed, but it remains unclear whether this association varies with regard to SA characteristics and gender. Methods Participants were 4034 college students drawn from a cross-sectional study conducted in Hefei, China. Gender-stratified latent class analysis (LCA) and logistic regression models were used to examine the relationships between timing, duration, types and patterns of SA victimization and suicidal behaviors. Results For the males, SA in the elementary school or earlier period was associated with suicidal ideation, plans, and suicidal preparations (OR: 3.29, 95%CI: 2.20-5.38), plans (OR: 3.44, 95% CI: 1.54-7.77) and preparations (OR:3.05, 95% CI: 1.19-7.74). All types of SA were significantly associated with the four types of suicidal behaviors. Dose-response relationship and cumulative effect were found between duration, types of sexual abuse victimization and suicidal behaviors. Three latent classes of SA victimization were identified for males and females, respectively. For males, the “moderate SA” class and “persistent SA” class were associated with the four types of suicidal behaviors. For the females, SA during the university period was associated with suicidal ideation (OR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.24-4.93). Only suicidal ideation was associated with the “moderate SA” class. Limitations The cross-sectional survey design did not allow to conclude any causality. Conclusions The relationship between SA victimization and suicidal behaviors varies in terms of SA victimization characteristics and the relationships were stronger in males than in females.