Abstract

The relationship between interpersonal developmental trauma and adolescent suicidality (suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts) was examined in a cross sectional survey of 720 adolescents attending a secondary school in Durban, South Africa. After controlling for the effects of demographic and family background variables, domestic forms of physical abuse and neglect emerged as the only forms of child maltreatment which accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in adolescent suicidal ideation; with domestic neglect emerging as the only form of child maltreatment which accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in non-fatal suicidal behaviour. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for future research.