This study assessed the association among various childhood adversities & suicide attempts. A total of 575 patients of a psychosomatic clinic & general practitioners were examined by use of a structured interview. 17 percent of the sample reported a past suicide attempt. In particular, sexual abuse & harsh physical punishment were associated with an increased risk for suicide attempts. Financial hardship was also associated with increased risk. Parental separation or divorce & physical arugments between parents increased risk only in a bivariate analysis; after controlling for other adversities, no association with suicide attempts remained. (33 refs.)