Fifty-nine physically abused children demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of self-destructive behavior than two control groups of nonabused children, one neglected and one normal. The self-destructive behavior, including suicide attempts and self-mutilation, was potentiated by interrelated variables operating in the abused child and the child's environment. Often enhanced by the ego deficits and impaired impulse control of the abused children, this behavior

seemed to represent a learned pattern originating in early traumatic experiences with hostile primary objects.