Victimization, polyvictimization, and suicide ideation in young offenders

Abstract

Interpersonal violence to which certain at-risk groups are exposed is considered a problem for their mental health. Along these lines, the present study explores the phenomenon of polyvictimization and suicidal ideation in 62 adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system of Madrid using JVQ and MAYSI-2. Lifetime victimization was reported by 96.8% of the overall sample, the most common being conventional crimes, followed by witnessing violence, and 40.3% reported suicidal ideation. Higher levels of sexual, peer, caregiver and indirect victimization were found among adolescents who presented suicidal ideation. However, it was indirect violence that proved to be the best predictor of suicidal ideation in the regression analysis, above other forms of specific violence and polyvictimization. In view of the high prevalence of victimization and the association between indirect violence and suicidal ideation in juvenile offenders, it is necessary to design intervention protocols with populations vulnerable to interpersonal violence in childhood and adolescence.