Childhood physical and sexual abuse and lifetime number of suicide attempts: a persistent and theoretically important relationship.
BACKGROUND
Research to date has indicated that childhood abuse is associated with suicide, though little research has examined the unique contribution of specific types of abuse to suicidal behavior. We predict that childhood physical and violent sexual abuse will have a greater effect on suicide attempts than molestation and verbal abuse.


METHODS
The National Comorbidity Survey data were used to test these predictions while controlling for a number of psychiatric and psychosocial variables.


RESULTS
As expected, childhood physical and violent sexual abuse showed similar effects on lifetime suicide attempts, which were stronger than the effects of molestation and verbal abuse.


CONCLUSIONS
This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study, so true causality cannot be shown. Some measurement limitations exist. Additionally, effect sizes were small but still significant.


CONCLUSIONS
While all forms of childhood abuse are troubling and create risk for future psychopathology and suicidality, the present study indicates that childhood physical and violent sexual abuse should be seen as greater risk factors for future suicide attempts than molestation and verbal abuse.
Joiner
Thomas E
TE
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270, USA. joiner@psy.fsu.edu
Sachs-Ericsson
Natalie J
NJ
Wingate
LaRicka R
LR
Brown
Jessica S
JS
Anestis
Michael D
MD
Selby
Edward A
EA
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States