Depressed adolescents with a history of sexual abuse: diagnostic comorbidity and suicidality.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the nature of comorbid psychopathology and suicidality associated with a history of sexual abuse in depressed adolescents.


METHODS
Twenty-four depressed adolescent inpatients with a history of sexual abuse were compared with a matched control group of 24 depressed adolescent inpatients on measures of depression, suicidal ideation and behavior, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.


RESULTS
Depressed adolescents with a history of sexual abuse had a higher prevalence of comorbid PTSD than did those without such a history. Chronicity and severity of abuse were significant contributors to a PTSD diagnosis. No differences were found in depression severity, specific depressive symptoms, or suicidal behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
Comorbidity of depressive disorders and PTSD are common among adolescent inpatients with a history of chronic sexual abuse. The need for thorough assessment of depression and PTSD with appropriate interventions for sexually abused adolescents is clear.
Brand
E F
EF
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
King
C A
CA
Olson
E
E
Ghaziuddin
N
N
Naylor
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010553:Personality Development; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology