Men who were sexually abused in childhood and subsequent suicidal ideation: community comparison, explanations an practice implications /
Nick Gould
- Oxford, UK, Oxford University Press, July, 2009.
- 950- 968 p.
- Volume 39, Number 5 .
In the Western world, men are particularly vulnerable to suicide, so it is important to undertake research that helps explain the manifestation of suicidality. This is one of the few studies to date that have researched men who were sexually abused in childhood and their presentation of suicidal ideation, much of the previous research with this focus having been restricted to women. The study draws on a clinical sample of 147 Australian men who were sexually abused men were up to ten times more likely to report suicidal ideation than the controls. To understand risk factors for suicidal ideation, a predictive regression model was constructed, the most important variables in this model being self- blame, isolation and physical injuries sustained from the abuse. These variables are further explored and illuminated from the need for screening and assessment of men in clinical populations as well as in other vulnerable populations. Limitations of the study and future areas of inquiry are also outlined.