A Model of Sexual Abuse’s Effects on Suicidal Behavior and Delinquency: the Role of Emotions as Mediating Factors

Drawing on Agnew’s general strain theory, the authors examined whether depressed mood & anger mediated the effects of sexual abuse on suicidal behaviour & delinquency. Participants included 9,113 students attending high school in Iceland. Structural equation modelling showed that, while controlling for family structure & parental education, being exposed to strain in the form of sexual abuse was positively related to both depressed mood & anger. The effects of sexual abuse on suicidal behaviour of both boys & girls were twice as strong through depressed mood as through anger. (67 refs.) JA