NCJ Number
201467
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 11 Issue: 3 Dated: 2002 Pages: 49-62
Date Published
2002
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This study examined the potential relationship between suicidal ideation and childhood emotional abuse, forced sex in adulthood, and adult partner violence.
Abstract
The authors hypothesized that there would be a positive association between three forms of victimization (childhood emotional abuse, forced sex in adulthood, and adult partner violence) and suicidal ideation. They further hypothesized that the relationship between childhood maltreatment and suicidal ideation would be moderated by re-victimization in adulthood. Current suicidal ideation was measured dichotomously in a sample of 494 female undergraduates using an item from the Symptoms Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90). Victimization was examined retrospectively using validated multi-item measures. Results of chi-square and multivariate analyses revealed that there is a positive relationship between suicidal ideation and emotional and physical abuse in childhood and adult partner violence. However, no relationship was found between suicidal ideation and child sexual abuse or forced sex in adulthood. Furthermore, the results did not support the hypothesis that the relationship between suicidal ideation and child abuse is moderated by adult victimization. The authors cautiously assert that their results indicate that multiple experiences with victimization do not increase the risk of suicidal ideation. One limitation of the study is that only a small percentage of the participants reported suicidal ideation. Tables, references