THE ZURICH STUDY .15. SUICIDE ATTEMPTS IN A COHORT FROM AGE 20 TO 30

The life-time prevalence of suicide attempts in a Swiss population, interviewed four times between the ages of 20 and 30 years, was 3.8% (females 5.4%, males 2.1%). One fifth of the 30-year-olds reported persistent suicidal ideation. In comparison with controls, attempters reported a more disturbed childhood, and subjects with multiple attempts reported more sexual abuse. Over 10 years attempters persistently showed more negative affectivity, more feelings of helplessness and lower selfesteem. At age 30 they were higher on the scales neuroticism, masculinity and aggressivity in a personality test. Over ten years, a higher than expected comorbidity appeared of suicide attempts with depressive and anxiety disorders, with substance abuse, and with sociopathic features.