DEPRESSED ADOLESCENTS WITH A HISTORY OF SEXUAL ABUSE - DIAGNOSTIC COMORBIDITY AND SUICIDALITY

Objective: To determine the nature of comorbid psychopathology and sui cidality associated with a history oi sexual abuse in depressed adoles cents. Method: Twenty-four depressed adolescent inpatients with a hist ory of sexual abuse were compared with a matched control group of 24 d epressed adolescent inpatients on measures of depression, suicidal ide ation and behavior, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Results: Depressed adolescents with a history of sexual abuse had a h igher prevalence of comorbid PTSD than did those without such a histor y. Chronicity and severity of abuse were significant contributors to a PTSD diagnosis. No differences were found in depression severity, spe cific depressive symptoms, or suicidal behavior. Conclusion: Comorbidi ty of depressive disorders and PTSD are common among adolescent inpati ents with a history of chronic sexual abuse. The need for thorough ass essment of depression and PTSD with appropriate interventions for sexu ally abused adolescents is clear.