In our present study we have analysed the influence of childhood abuse on affective temperament-types and Gotland Male Depression Scale scores in 150 nonviolent suicide attempters. Our findings confirm previous Hungarian and international data concerning the connection of suicidal behaviour and psychiatric disorders, undesirable psychosocial circumstances and negative life events. Moreover, our study provides new results regarding the strong association of the affective temperament types, male type of depression, seriously traumatic early life events and furthermore their predisposing role in connection with suicidal behaviour. Suicide attempters, experiencing physical and/or sexual abuse in their childhood showed significantly higher total scores (p<0.05) on cyclothymic and irritable temperament subscales. The Gotland Male Depressive syndrome was equally very common and equally serious both in males and females who made a nonviolent suicide attempt. However, regardless of gender, it was significantly more severe (p<0.01) among those who were victims of both physical and sexual childhood abuse.