Suicidality in College Women Who Report Multiple Versus Single Types of Maltreatment by Parents: A Brief Report

• NCJ Number: 161011
• Journal: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 4 Issue: 3 Dated: (1995) Pages: 87-94
• Author(s): S L Bryant; L M Range
• Date Published: 1995
• Length: 8 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

To see if child sexual, physical, and psychological maltreatment were linked to adult suicidality, 114 college women completed measures of suicidality, reasons for living, and incidence and impact of maltreatment.

Abstract

Respondents were selected from introductory psychology classes at a large southeastern university. Information was obtained using the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire, the Reasons for Living Inventory, and the Incidence and Impact of Maltreatment Questionnaire. Women who reported sexual maltreatment in combination with other types of maltreatment were significantly more suicidal than those not maltreated or those reporting other types of maltreatment. Apparently, child sexual abuse and multiple maltreatment were more damaging, at least in terms of suicidality, than none or only one type of maltreatment. An implication is that college counseling centers need to assess suicide potential in any women who report child sexual abuse plus other maltreatment. 15 references and 1 table