Suicidality and Trait Aggression Related to Childhood Victimization in Patients With Alcoholism

This study examined whether exposure to physical abuse in childhood predisposes to violence, which in turn increases the likelihood of suicidal behaviour in adulthood. The sample comprised 272 adult Hungarian patients with alcohol dependence & with data for childhood physical abuse, trait aggression, & lifetime suicide attempts. Generalized linear model analysis revealed a significant gender-dependent association between physical abuse by parents & later suicide attempts. In females, the likelihood of suicide attempts increased by approximately 15 times; in males, the increase was about twofold. Association of suicide attempts with the overall level of trait aggression also significantly interacted with gender. (54 refs.)