The Role of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Childhood Gender

Suicidal deaths and behavior in young people are major public health concerns. This study investigated the role of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), self-esteem, childhood gender nonconformity (CGN) and parental attachment in predicting suicidal ideation and attempts in 1203 (696 women) Turkish university students. Participants filled in a self-report questionnaire containing questions about suicidal behavior and measures of CSA, CGN, self-esteem and parental attachment. T-tests were used to compare sexes and pointbiserial correlation coefficients were computed between predictor variables and suicidal behavior. Logistic regression analysis procedure was employed to identify the independent predictors of suicidal ideation and attempts. Of the total sample, 42.5% reported suicidal ideation and 11.5% suicide attempts. CSA made an independent contribution to the prediction of suicidal ideation. Low self-esteem was an independent predictor of suicidal ideation in both sexes and suicide attempts in women. CGN was an independent predictor of suicidal ideation in both sexes. Low attachment to mother for women and low attachment to father for men was significant predictors of suicidal ideation and attempts. Suicidal ideation and attempts are frequent events in university students. It is concluded that self-esteem, CSA, CGN and parental attachment should be taken into consideration in assessing of and designing interventions against suicide risk.