Numerous studies demonstrate that bullying in childhood correlates with suicide attempts and completed suicide in children. There is very little scientific literature, however, on the suicidogenic consequences of bullying in adulthood, either preceded by bullying in childhood or in the absence of it. The aim of this study is to explore the history of bullying in parasuicide in adult personnel.

We re-analyzed data from a prior empirical study of the psychodynamics of suicidal behavior in the sample consisted of 30 subjects (24 females and 6 males). These were individuals hospitalized at the Clinic for Toxicology, at the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, following attempted suicide by self-poisoning. Data had originally been collected during psychotherapeutic crisis intervention. The mean age was 28.20 (± 12.46; range, 15–57 years). Most (63.3%) were single.

86,7% of suicide attempters had a history of bullying just preceding the suicide attempt: 53,3% by their mother or father (emotionally mistreated and/or physically bullied), 23,3% by their conjugal partner (sexually neglected and/or emotionally harassed, or physically bullied), and 10% by persons in their social network (emotionally neglected and/or bullied). We also present vignettes which illustrate these relationships.

To place parasuicide in a psychotherapeutic context, therapists must recognize that the identification and management of recent bullying is of central import. It crucially informs the type of intervention required when involving a conjugal partner or members of the suicidal subject's family of origin. This ensures successful psychotherapeutic crisis intervention following suicide attempt.