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Cited by 438Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesChild Abuse and TraumaHomicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse

The Relationship of Childhood Abuse to Impulsivity and Suicidal Behavior in Adults With Major Depression

Brodsky, Beth S., Oquendo, Maria, Ellis, Steven P., Haas, Gretchen L., Malone, Kevin M., Mann, J. John·2001·American Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1176/appi.ajp.158.11.1871
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated whether a higher frequency of reported childhood trauma would be found in depressed adults with higher levels of trait impulsivity, aggression, and suicidal behavior. METHOD: In 136 depressed adult inpatients, the authors assessed trait impulsivity, aggression history, and number of lifetime suicide attempts as well as the medical lethality and the intent to die associated with the most lethal attempt. These variables were then compared between those with and those without a reported history of childhood physical or sexual abuse. RESULTS: Subjects who reported an abuse history were more likely to have made a suicide attempt and had significantly higher impulsivity and aggression scores than those who did not report an abuse history. Impulsivity and aggression scores were significantly higher in subjects with a history of at least one suicide attempt. A logistic regression analysis revealed that abuse history remained significantly associated with suicide attempt status after adjustment for impulsivity, aggression history, and presence of borderline personality disorder. Among those who attempted suicide, there were no significant differences in severity of suicidal behavior between those with and without a childhood history of abuse. CONCLUSIONS: Abuse in childhood may constitute an environmental risk factor for the development of trait impulsivity and aggression as well as suicide attempts in depressed adults. Alternatively, impulsivity and aggression may be inherited traits underlying both childhood abuse and suicidal behavior in adulthood disorders. Additional research is needed to estimate the relative contributions of heredity and environmental experience to the development of impulsivity, aggression, and suicidal behavior.

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Authors
Brodsky, B. S., Oquendo, M., Ellis, S. P., Haas, G. L., Malone, K. M., & Mann, J. J.
Affiliations
Columbia University (US)
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
American Psychiatric Association Publishing
Published
2001-11-01
Volume
158
Issue
11
Pages
1871-1877
ISSN
  • 0002-953X (ISSN-L)
  • 1535-7228
DOI
10.1176/appi.ajp.158.11.1871
OpenAlex
W2171198336
Cited by
438
References
47
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 21 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 23 · 2014: 33 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 34
FWCI
12.94
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (MH48514, MH46745, R01MH048514)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse
Keywords
childhood abuse, child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, major depressive disorder, trait impulsivity, aggression, suicide attempts, suicidal behavior, borderline personality disorder, environmental risk factors, nature versus nurture
MeSH terms
Adult, Aggression, Child, Child Abuse, Major Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder, Major, Female, Humans, Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders, Male, Suicide, Attempted

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