Page 133 - GHES-3-3

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Polyvictimization and suicidal behaviors

may become isolated (Erikson, 1950; 1968), which can be vulnerable throughout their lifetime; consequently, these
positively related to suicidal ideations/behaviors (Preston severe experiences can elevate the threat of suicidality,
et al., 2023; Zhu et al., 2022) and negatively related to their well- including ideations/behaviors or self-harm behaviors
being (Clair et al., 2021). Experiences of polyvictimization (Baldwin et al., 2019; Itani et al., 2018; Kennedy et al., 2021;
can significantly hinder college students’ ability to complete Le et al., 2016; Suárez-Soto et al., 2019; Stewart et al., 2022).
their education and develop social relationships, making While most empirical studies on polyvictimization have
them more vulnerable to psychosocial issues (Cénat et al., focused on adolescents, research on college students has
2021). Polyvictimization refers to individuals’ exposure to been limited. The literature has consistently demonstrated
multiple types of victimization, including physical abuse/ that polyvictimization is associated with an increased
neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, violence, or bullying likelihood of suicidal thoughts/behaviors, which is often
experiences (Finkelhor et al., 2005). Research indicates that linked to poor mental health. For instance, a study with
individuals who have experienced childhood adversity are 227 adolescents revealed that 61.7% of the sample had
more likely to be vulnerable to bullying at school and college experienced polyvictimization, and 39.6% of the polyvictims
(Hamby et al., 2018; Jenkins et al., 2021; Reisen et al., 2019); reported suicidal thoughts and self-harm behaviors
moreover, polyvictimized individuals are more prone to (Suárez-Soto et al., 2019). Another study indicated that
exhibiting risky health behaviors, such as drug use, risky in the year before the research, 21.4% of female and 7.9%
sexual behaviors, and suicidal behaviors (Alexander et al., of male participants had experienced suicidal thoughts,
2018; Cénat et al., 2021; Turner et al., 2012; Wojciechowski, whereas 7.8% of female and 4% of male participants had
2020). Despite polyvictimization having a high-risk status made suicidal plans; furthermore, polyvictims were more
and suicidal thoughts/behaviors representing high-risk likely to report suicidal thoughts/plans than non-victims
behaviors among college students, few studies have examined and those with fewer forms of victimization (Le et al., 2016).
protective and resilience factors against suicidal thoughts/ Kennedy et al. (2021) found that if women engaged in the
behaviors among polyvictimized college students. criminal justice system and those already incarcerated
have severe childhood polyvictimization experiences,
According to the Schematic Appraisals Model of Suicide they are at a higher risk of suicidal ideation later in life
(SAMS; Johnson et al., 2008), individuals who experience a than those with less victimization. In addition, Stein
stressful life event may develop feelings of failure (i.e., a sense of et al. (2018) found that even after adjusting for intervening
failed struggle) and confinement (i.e., a feeling that all avenues mental disorders, frequent childhood emotional, physical,
are blocked), potentially increasing suicidality. However, and sexual abuse as well as neglect are strongly associated
positive self-appraisal, acting as a protective factor, can mitigate with suicidal behavior among new soldiers (aged younger
the likelihood of failure and confinement, thereby reducing than 34 years). Furthermore, individuals with a history
suicidality. The stress and coping theory posits that cognitive of lifetime suicidal ideation are more likely to engage in
appraisal can be positive or negative (Smith & Lazarus, 1990). planning and attempting suicide.
While a stressful life event may amplify negative emotions
and disrupt coping activities, a sense of well-being and 1.2. Roles of resilience and perceived social support
positive self-appraisal — as protective factors — may buffer Resilience is the process of positively adapting to mental,
the impact of such events. Therefore, resilience and perceived emotional, and behavioral challenges, demonstrating
social support may mitigate the suicidal thoughts/behaviors flexibility in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, and
associated with polyvictimization. Notably, a gap exists in the stress (American Psychological Association [APA],
literature concerning the application of SAMS, with resilience 2024). Studies have indicated that individuals who have
as a mediator and perceived social support as a moderator, experienced polyvictimization and exhibited suicidal
in understanding the relationship between polyvictimization behaviors demonstrate weakened resilience (Suárez-
and suicidal thoughts/behaviors among college students. The Soto et al., 2019); in addition, those who face poly-
SAMS framework can aid in comprehending how positive bullying victimization exhibit lower resilience and poorer
appraisals, such as resilience and perceived social support, subjective well-being (Víllora et al., 2020). As such,
influence the occurrence of suicidal thoughts/behaviors resilience plays a crucial role in polyvictimized individuals’
associated with polyvictimization. adjustment to life. A systematic review highlighted that
1.1. Polyvictimization and suicidal adverse victimization experiences can negatively impact
ideation/behaviors psychosocial adjustment later in life; however, resilience
factors reduce the negative effect on psychosocial
Exposure to various types and multiple instances of outcomes (e.g., mental health disorders and physical well-
victimization renders individuals mentally and physically being) during the transition to adulthood (Latham et al.,

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 125 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3737