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The relationship between physical pain and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in adolescents: A meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 August 2021

M. De Filippi ,
M. Rignanese ,
E. Salmè ,
F. Madeddu  and
R. Calati
M. De Filippi
Affiliation:
Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
M. Rignanese
Affiliation:
Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
E. Salmè
Affiliation:
Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
F. Madeddu
Affiliation:
Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
R. Calati*
Affiliation:
Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy Adult Psychiatry, Nîmes University Hospital, Nîmes, France
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents (15-19 years). Physical pain is an important risk factor for suicidal thoughts and behaviors, especially in a delicate phase as adolescence.

Objectives

Several studies investigated this association and the aim of this meta-analysis was to synthesize data in literature about this topic in adolescents (11-20 years).

Methods

We started from a systematic review published by Hinze and colleagues in 2019 and we searched on PubMed (January 2019-June 2020) studies comparing rates of suicidal outcomes (Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Plan, Attempt, Self-Harm: SI, SP, SA, SH) in individuals with any type of physical pain (head, back, neck, chest, stomach, abdomen, muscle, joint, arthritis) vs. those without it. Data were analyzed with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (CMA, version 3).

Results

Of the 16 included studies, eleven focused on SI (68.8%), six (37.5%) on SA, four (25%) on SH and two (12.5%) on SP. Adolescents with physical pain were more likely to report SI (p < .001), SH (p < .001), SA (p = .004) and SP (p = .006). In all analyses, the between study heterogeneity was high. The presence of publication bias has been detected in SI (k≥10).

Conclusions

Results are in line with previous literature on this topic. Future research should investigate the specific impact of: acute vs. chronic pain; different types and intensities of pain; planned vs. impulsive action and therefore suicidal intent; role of psychological factors (in particular sensitivity and tolerance to physical pain).

Keywords

SuicideSuicidal Thoughts and BehaviorsadolescentsPhysical Pain
Type
Abstract
Information
European Psychiatry , Volume 64 , Special Issue S1: Abstracts of the 29th European Congress of Psychiatry , April 2021 , pp. S580
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the European Psychiatric Association
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