| Abstract: | Examined the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and subsequent suicidality in 195 women (mean age 27.4 yrs) presenting to the crisis intervention program of a community health center. As predicted, former sexual abuse victims were considerably more likely to have made at least 1 suicide attempt in the past (55% of the 133 Ss) than were nonabused clients (23% of the 62 Ss) and were more likely to report suicidal ideation upon intake. Sexual abuse was associated with suicide attempts that occurred in childhood or adolescence. Among former sexual abuse victims, greater suicidality was correlated with multiple perpetrators, concurrent physical abuse, and sexual intercourse. Childhood sexual abuse is hypothesized to result in lowered self-esteem, guilt and self-blame, perceived powerlessness, and interpersonal dysfunction—all of which may lead to increased self-destructiveness. (French abstract) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
