Suicidality in College Women who Were Sexually and Physically Abused and Physically Punished by Parents

In order to ascertain if physically abused, sexually abused, physically punished, & nonabused/nonpunished women students reported different levels of suicidality, 182 women completed measures of suicidality, sexual abuse, physical abuse, & physical punishment. Women who reported sexual abuse were more suicidal than all other groups, & those physically abused were more suicidal than those nonabused/nonpunished. In a multiple regression, sexual abuse accounted for the most variance in suicidality (15%). Apparently women who report sexual or physical abuse, but not ordinary physical punishment alone, are at greatest risk for suicide. (25 refs.)