Suicidal ideation among adults with a recent sexual assault: Prescription opioid use and prior sexual assault

• Published in: Addictive behaviors Vol. 85; pp. 120 - 124
• Main Authors: Gilmore, Amanda K., Hahn, Christine K., Jaffe, Anna E., Walsh, Kate, Moreland, Angela D., Ward-Ciesielski, Erin F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2018; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Analgesics, Opioid - therapeutic use; Depression - psychology; Drug addiction; Emergency medical care; Emergency medical services; Emergency Service, Hospital; Female; Forensic science; Humans; Linear Models; Mass Screening; Mental health; Narcotics; Opioid-Related Disorders - diagnosis; Opioid-Related Disorders - psychology; Opioids; Patient Health Questionnaire; Prescription drugs; Prescription opioid use; Risk factors; Sex crimes; Sex Offenses - psychology; Sexual assault; Side effects; Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute - psychology; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide; Suicides & suicide attempts; Young Adult; Suicidal ideation; Prescription opioid use; Sexual assault
• ISSN: 0306-4603; 1873-6327
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.05.028

Sexual assault (SA) is common, and recent sexual assault is associated with suicidal ideation and prescription opioid (PO) use. PO use is also associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation. The current study examined suicidal ideation among adults seeking medical and psychological follow-up care after a SA medical forensic examination based on PO use and prior SA.
Adults (n = 60) who received a SA medical forensic exam at the emergency room within 120 h of a SA were invited to receive medical and psychological follow-up care, which included a questionnaire about current mental health symptoms.
Results from a linear regression model revealed that more acute stress symptoms were associated with higher suicidal ideation. Further, there was a significant association between PO use and suicidal ideation among those with a prior SA such that those with a prior SA and who used POs reported more severe suicidal ideation than those with a prior SA who did not use POs.
Routine screening at the emergency department for PO use and prior SA may help prevention efforts for suicide among adults who recently experienced SA.
•Sexual assault (SA) is associated with suicidal ideation and opioid use.•Recent SA and revictimization are associated with acute mental health problems.•Opioid use was associated with more suicidal ideation among recent SA survivors with a prior SA.•Routine screening in the emergency department for opioid use is needed for recent SA survivors.