Childhood Trauma and Suicide Attempts in Patients With Unipolar Depression

108 patients with unipolar deprssion were evaluated for suicide attempt history. They completed the 34-item Childhood Trauma Questionnaire & the Brown-Goodwin Lifetime History of Aggression Scale. 47 of the patients had attempted suicide. Significantly more of the depressed patients who had attempted suicide were female, single, & unemployed. Patients who had attempted suicide had significantly higher total trauma scores & higher scores for emotional abuse & emotional neglect as well as higher Brown-Goodwin scores. Suicidal behaviour in these patients appears to be a multidetermined act with sociodemographic, developmental, & personality determinants. (24 refs.)