Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Suicide Attempts in a Community Sample of Urban American Young Adults

The association between exposure to traumatic events with & without resulting posttraumatic stress disorder & the risk of a subsequent suicide attempt was examined in a community sample of young adults in Baltimore. A cohort study followed 1698 young adults (75% of the original cohort). Posttraumatic stress disorder was associated with increased risk of subsequent suicide attempt. The association was robust, even after adjustment for a prior major depressive episode, alcohol abuse or dependence, & drug abuse or dependence. In contrast, exposure to traumatic events without posttraumatic stress disorder was not associated with an increased risk of attempted suicide. (54 refs.)