OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of this study was to utilize data from the 2000 British National Survey of Psychiatric Morbidity, a randomized cross-sectional survey of the British population that included questions relating to the phenomena of suicidality and sexual abuse, to test the hypothesis that suicide attempts in women are significantly associated with a history of sexual abuse
METHOD:
Participants were male and female volunteers, ages 16 to 74 years old (N=8,580), interviewed in the 2000 British National Survey of Psychiatric Morbidity
RESULTS:
Sexual abuse
was strongly associated with a history of suicide attempts as
well as of suicidal intent and was more common in women.
The
population attributable risk fraction was considerably greater
in female respondents (28%) than in male respondents (7%),
which is consistent with more prevalent exposure to sexual abuse
among women.
The effect of sexual abuse on suicidal attempts
and suicidal intent was reduced by controlling for affective
symptoms, suggesting that the effect of the former was likely
to be mediated by affective changes
CONCLUSIONS:
Sexual abuse
is a significant antecedent of suicidal behavior, particularly
among women. In identifying suicidal behavior, it is important
to consider the possibility of sexual abuse, since it implies
a need for focused treatment.
Am J Psychiatry 2009; 166:1135-1140 Paul E. Bebbington, Ph.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.Psych., Claudia Cooper, Ph.D., M.R.C.Psych., Sarah Minot, M.Sc., M.R.C.Psych., Traolach S. Brugha, M.D., F.R.C.Psych., Rachel Jenkins, M.D., F.R.C.Psych., Howard Meltzer, Ph.D., and Michael Dennis, M.D., M.R.C.Psych.
http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/166/10/1135
http://www.e-medicum.com/noticiasDelDia/verNoticia.php?noticia=84448