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Patterns of victimization, suicide attempt, and posttraumatic stress disorder in Greenlandic adolescents: a latent class analysis

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Abstract

Aim

The current study had two main aims. The first was to identify groups of adolescents based on their similarity of responding across a number of victimizing and potentially traumatic events (PTEs). In doing so, we employed the statistical technique of Latent Class Analysis (LCA). The second aim was to assess the relationship between our resultant classes and the covariates of gender, suicide attempt, and PTSD.

Methods

Two hundred and sixty-nine Greenlandic school students, aged 12–18 (M = 15.4, SD = 1.84) were assessed for their level of exposure to PTEs. In addition, adolescents were assessed for the psychological impact of these events. A LCA was performed on seven binary indicators representing PTEs. Logistic regression was subsequently implemented to ascertain the relationships between latent classes and covariates.

Results

Three distinct classes were uncovered: a violence, neglect, and bullying class (class 1), a wide-ranging multiple PTE class (class 2), and a normative/baseline class (class 3). Notably, classes 1 and 2 were largely separated by the presence or absence of sexual PTEs. Individuals who reported having previously attempted suicide were almost six times more likely to be members of class 1 (OR = 5.97) and almost four times more likely to be members of class 2 (OR = 3.87) compared to the baseline class (class 3). Individuals who met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD were five times as likely to be members of class 1 and class 2 (OR = 5.09) compared to the baseline class. No significant associations were found between classes and gender.

Conclusion

The results underline the complexity of the interplay between multiple victimization experiences, traumatization, and suicide attempts.

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Notes

  1. Please note that an earlier publication is available [45] which describes this sample in detail. This earlier publication was predominately descriptive in nature presenting event prevalences by total sample and by gender groups. Logistic regression was estimated using PTSD as a dependant variable and demographics as independent variables. Thus, the research question of the previous publication differs substantially from that of the current piece of research which identifies victimization typologies and outcome.

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On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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  1. National Centre for Psychotraumatology, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230, Odense M, Denmark

    Sidsel Karsberg, Cherie Armour & Ask Elklit

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  1. Sidsel Karsberg
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Correspondence to Sidsel Karsberg.

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Karsberg, S., Armour, C. & Elklit, A. Patterns of victimization, suicide attempt, and posttraumatic stress disorder in Greenlandic adolescents: a latent class analysis. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 49, 1389–1399 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-0890-4

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