Reported Family Dynamics, Sexual Abuse, and Suicidal Behaviors in Community Adolescents

This pilot study investigated associations between adolescents’ reported sexual abuse & depression, suicide thoughts & attempts, & family dysfunction. Compared with non-abused adolescents from dysfunctional families, adolescents claiming abuse had more than 6 times the relative risk for attempts. Findings appear to confirm sexual abuse as a risk factor & suggest that sexual abuse may be more influential in the development of suicidal behaviors than the context of family dysfunction.