Sexual Abuse and Suicide: Why We May Not Know What We Think We Know.

This article reviews the research on the relationship between a reported history of sexual abuse and subsequent suicidal behavior. Based on this review, it is suggested that a conclusion that childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a significant risk factor for subsequent suicidal ideation, attempts, and completed suicides is premature. Identified limitations of the existing research include the lack of consistency in definitions of CSA and suicidality, issues related to sample selection and causality interpretations, and the absence of theoretical grounding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]