The association of sexual assault and attempted suicide within the community

Author(s): Hughes, D. C., George, L. K., Blazer, D. G.

Journal/Book: Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1996; 53: 515 N State St, Chicago, IL 60610. Amer Medical Assoc. 550-555.

Abstract: Background: Lifetime community rates of attempted suicide were compared between those who reported a history of sexual assault and a control group without such a history. Methods: The 2918 respondents in the Duke University Epidemiological Catchment Area Study were placed into groups with reported sexual assault (n=67) and those with no known history of such (n=2851). Multivariate and bivariate procedures were used to examine the relation between sexual assault and attempted suicide. Results: Subjects reporting a history of sexual assault were more likely to be female, younger, and to report higher rates of lifetime suicide attempt and posttraumatic stress symptoms; no differences were found in the number of chronic medical disorders, major depression, substance abuse or substance dependence, or panic attacks. Nine (14.9%) of the 67 index group subjects reported a suicide attempt, 4 of whom reported their first sexual assault as occurring before age 16 years. A sexual assault history was associated with increased prevalence of lifetime suicide attempt after controlling for sex, age, education, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and psychiatric disorder. Findings were similar in the female-only subsample (n=1778). For women, the odds of attempting suicide was 3 to 4 times greater when the first reported sexual assault occurred prior to age 16 years compared with age 16 years or older. Conclusions: Sexual assault is associated with an increased lifetime rate of attempted suicide. In women, a history of sexual trauma before age 16 years is a particularly strong correlate of attempted suicide.

Note: Article JRT Davidson, Duke Univ, Med Ctr, Dept Psychiat, Anxiety & Traumat Stress Program, Box 3812, Durham, NC 27710 USA

Keyword(s): CATCHMENT-AREA PROJECT; MENTAL-HEALTH; PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS; PANIC DISORDER; PREVALENCE

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