Cross-National Analysis of the Associations Between Traumatic Events and Suicidal Behavior: Findings From the WHO World Mental Health Surveys

Data on trauma exposure & subsequent first onset of suicidal behaviour were collected via structured interviews conducted in the households of 102,245 respondents in 21 countries. Bivariate & multivariate survival models tested the relationship between the type & number of traumatic events & subsequent suicidal behaviour. Sexual & interpersonal violence showed the strongest effects. A dose-response relationship was found between the number of traumatic events & suicide ideation/attempt; however, there is decay in the strength of the association with more events. Fewer events predicted which people with ideation progress to suicide plan & attempt or the persistence of suicidal behaviour over time. Associations were generally consistent across all countries. (48 refs.) JA