The risk of self‐harm and suicide attempts in maltreated and poly‐victimised adolescents from Lithuanian vocational schools

Background Worldwide statistics highlight that many adolescents suffer from various types of maltreatment, which often tend to co-occur in the form of poly-victimisation. The experience of maltreatment at a young age causes physical and mental health problems, and can also lead to self-harm and suicide. The aim To explore the possible impact of maltreatment and poly-victimisation on adolescent self-harm and suicide attempts. Participants and settings In total, 1898 students (15-18 years old) from Lithuanian vocational schools completed the survey (65.5% male). Method The impact of maltreatment and poly-victimisation on self-harm and suicide attempts was tested using multivariable binary logistic regressions. Results Different maltreatment types were significantly associated to self-harm (odds ratio from 2.47 to 3.80, p < 0.001) and suicide attempts (odds ratio from 3.15 to 7.58, p < 0.001). The odds ratios for self-harm and suicide attempt increased as the number of different types of maltreatment experienced increased. A history of experiencing four types of poly-victimisation increased adolescent risk for self-harm (OR = 18.57, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 5.77-59.72) and suicide attempts (OR = 45.54, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 14.37-144.28) the most. Conclusion Adolescents with experience of maltreatment, particularly if poly-victimised, are at greater risk of engaging in self-harming and suicidal behaviours.