Relationship of Childhood Trauma to age of First Suicide Attempt and Number of Attempts in Substance Dependent Patients

1,280 substance dependent patients in New Jersey were interviewed about whether or not they had ever attempted suicide, the age of first attempt, & the number of attempts. Patients completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, 34-item version. 538 patients (42%) had attempted suicide. Significantly more of these patients were female. Patients who had made 3 or more attempts had significantly higher childhood trauma scores than patients who had made 2 attempts. Patients who first attempted suicide before the age of 20 had significantly higher childhood trauma scores than patients whose first attempt was after age 20. (19 refs.)