Work

Risk for Suicidal Thoughts and Behavior after Childhood Sexual Abuse in Women and Men

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: Earlier studies have found an elevated risk for psychopathology and suicidal behavior associated with childhood sexual abuse (CSA); however, the degree to which risk is mediated by depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in women and men remains unclear. We examined these issues in data from a family study of childhood maltreatment (N = 2,559). We found significant CSA-associated risk for depression, PTSD, and suicidal behavior for women and men. In survival analyses controlling for these disorders, we observed persistent but somewhat reduced CSA-associated risk for suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Our findings suggest that these disorders partially mediate CSA-associated risk.

Source: Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior

DOI: 10.1111/j.1943-278x.2011.00040.x