• Thomas E Joiner, Natalie J Sachs-Ericsson, LaRicka R Wingate, Jessica S Brown, Michael D Anestis, and Edward A Selby.
• Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270, USA. joiner@psy.fsu.edu
• Behav Res Ther. 2007 Mar 1; 45 (3): 539-47.

BackgroundResearch to date has indicated that childhood abuse is associated with suicide, though little research has examined the unique contribution of specific types of abuse to suicidal behavior. We predict that childhood physical and violent sexual abuse will have a greater effect on suicide attempts than molestation and verbal abuse.MethodsThe National Comorbidity Survey data were used to test these predictions while controlling for a number of psychiatric and psychosocial variables.ResultsAs expected, childhood physical and violent sexual abuse showed similar effects on lifetime suicide attempts, which were stronger than the effects of molestation and verbal abuse.LimitationsThis was a cross-sectional, retrospective study, so true causality cannot be shown. Some measurement limitations exist. Additionally, effect sizes were small but still significant.ConclusionsWhile all forms of childhood abuse are troubling and create risk for future psychopathology and suicidality, the present study indicates that childhood physical and violent sexual abuse should be seen as greater risk factors for future suicide attempts than molestation and verbal abuse.

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