Pathways from childhood trauma to suicidal ideation: mediating through difficulties in emotion regulation and depressive symptoms

Abstract

Objective Suicidal ideation is a clinical exigency heightening the risk of suicide at different levels of suicidal behavior. This study sought to explore crucial correlates of this phenomenon with a structural equation modeling approach. Accordingly, the mediating role of depressive symptoms and difficulties in emotion regulation between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation were explored. Method The sample consisted of 372 university students (57.3% females, M = 20.75, SD = 2.25) who completed self-report measures examining experiences of childhood trauma, depressive symptoms, difficulties in emotion regulation, and suicidal ideation. Structural equation modeling was employed, and mediation analysis was conducted. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the measurement model of each construct before evaluating the conceptual mediated model. Results Findings indicate that depressive symptoms with difficulties in emotion regulation had the strongest association (r = 0.60, P = 0.001), then depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation (r = 0.58, P = 0.001), suicidal ideation with difficulties in emotion regulation (r = 0.45, P = 0.001) then suicidal ideation with childhood trauma (r = 0.39, P = 0.001), difficulties in emotion regulation with childhood trauma (r = 0.36 P = 0.001) and finally depressive symptoms and childhood trauma (r = 0.35, P = 0.001). Regarding indirect paths, difficulties in emotion regulation and depression function together (in a sequential path) to mediate the association between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation ( χ2(68) = 216.86, P < 0.01, CFI = 0.95, TLI = 0.93, RMSE = 0.077, CI [0.066 to 0.089], SRMR = 0.049). Conclusion Results demonstrate that childhood trauma, depressive symptoms, and difficulties in emotion regulation are linked to suicidal ideation, highlighting the necessity of recognizing and addressing suicidal ideation as well as the factors that contribute to suicidal ideation. Emotion regulation interventions can be effective in reducing the negative effects of childhood trauma and lowering the risk of suicide. These interventions can help in reducing depressive symptoms and improve overall mental well-being, leading to a lower risk of suicide.

The Mediating Role of the Varieties of Inner Speech in the Relationship of Decision-Making and Stress Coping Styles With Suicidal Ideation Among High School Students

“…The results of the present study are consistent with the result of similar study conducted by Laghaei, Honarmand, and Arshadi, Zoodkhizi and Sedaghat, Qiu, Klonsky and May, and Onat et al [9,28,47,48,50]. Regarding the relationship of coping styles with suicidal ideation, our results are consistent whit the results of the study of Rohani and Esmaeili, Qiu, and Chu et al [3,28,51].…”

The Role of Emotion Dysregulation in Understanding Suicide Risk: A Systematic Review of the Literature

“…Previous studies and systematic reviews have already examined the associations between suicide and specific emotional regulation difficulties and maladaptive strategies [21][22][23][24][25][26] in adult and adolescent populations. In particular, Anestis et al [21] examined a sample of undergraduate students, and the results indicated that those with difficulties in emotional regulation strategies exhibited higher levels of suicidal ideation.…”

An examination of the mediating role of maladaptive emotion regulation strategies in the complex relationship between interpersonal needs and suicidal behavior

“…Notably, several models of psychopathology have shown strong links between psychopathology and emotion dysregulation ( 20 – 22 ). In fact, emotion dysregulation has been linked to a number of psychiatric conditions, namely depression ( 23 , 24 ), non-suicidal self-injury [NSSI; 25 ], and, most importantly, suicidal behavior ( 11 – 13 ). Considering the transdiagnostic ( 26 ) and context-dependent [e.g., 27 ] nature of emotion dysregulation, extant theories explaining mechanisms of its escalation in severe problem behaviors (such as suicidal ideation and attempt) are critical for inspection.…”

“…Prospective suicide research has demonstrated that psychological factors are the most important indicators of suicidal behavior [e.g., [5][6][7][8], with interpersonal needs (9,10) and emotion regulation (ER) (11)(12)(13) among the most prominent ones. Interpersonal needs are one of the critical contextual elements that affect human behavior and constitute a significant portion of dysfunction throughout mental illnesses [e.g., 10,14].…”

“…Also, it has been linked as a potential risk factor for the theory's key elements, namely, suicide desire. Existing research indicates an association between greater levels of suicide desire and increased levels of emotion dysregulation (11)(12)(13). Individuals who are easily dominated by emotion dysregulation (i.e., poor ER capacities) can be more vulnerable to suicidal desire (16).…”