Gender in Suicide Attempt Rates and Chilhood Sexual Abuse Rates: is There an Interaction?

Data from 1,889 abstinent, substance-dependent patients who completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire & who were interviewed about suicide attempts were examined in order to compare the 2 theories of why there are higher rates of attempted suicide in women than in men. The data supports the first hypothesis that the greater frequency of suicide attempts in women may be partly attributed to the higher prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in girls. Further study is needed when these results are applied to the general population & other diagnostic groups. (29 refs)