The Relationship between Childhood Trauma and Suicidal Ideation: Role of Maltreatment and Potential Mediators

Abstract

ObjectiveChildhood trauma is recognized as an important risk factor in suicidal ideation, however it is not fully understood how the different types of childhood maltreatment influence suicidal ideation nor what variables mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation. This study examined the path from childhood trauma to suicidal ideation, including potential mediators.MethodsA sample of 211 healthy adults completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), Beck scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSI), Functional Social Support Questionnaire (FSSQ) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Path analysis was used to investigate the relationship among study variables.ResultsOf the several types of childhood maltreatment we considered, only childhood sexual abuse directly predicted suicidal ideation (β=0.215, p=0.001). Childhood physical abuse (β=0.049, 95% confidence interval: 0.011–0.109) and childhood emotional abuse (β=0.042, 95% confidence interval: 0.001–0.107) indirectly predicted suicidal ideation through their association with anxiety. Childhood neglect indirectly predicted suicidal ideation through association with perceived social support (β=0.085, 95% confidence interval: 0.041–0.154).ConclusionOur results confirmed that childhood sexual abuse is a strong predictor of suicidal ideation. Perceived social support mediated the relationship between suicidal ideation and neglect. Anxiety fully mediated the relationship between suicidal ideation and both physical abuse and emotional abuse. Interventions to reduce suicidal ideation among survivors of childhood trauma should focus on anxiety symptoms and attempt to increase their social support.

Factors on the Pathway from Trauma to Suicidal Ideation in Adolescents

“…However, these data were not included in the final analysis due to excessive amount of missing values. Anxiety and social support mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation [30]. According to a study with veterans, the protective effect of exercise on suicide risk was mediated by depression, PTSD symptoms, and sleep disturbances [31].…”

Using EMDR therapy with patients in an acute mental health crisis

“…The review also found that PTSD is rarely mentioned in the literature on suicide, and vice versa; risk of suicide is rarely mentioned in the literature related to trauma [34]. More recent research has indicated a strong link between childhood trauma and an increased risk of suicide [35,36]. Historically such patients have been routinely excluded from PTSD studies as they are perceived as too risky [37], adding to the myth that suicidal patients are not safe to be treated [38].…”

Использование Нечёткой Модели Для Комплексной Оценки Риска Суицидального Поведения Подростков

“…Физическое насилие над детьми и эмоциональное давление косвенно предсказывают появления суицидальных идей и связаны с тревогой. Игнорирование ребёнка в детском возрасте также косвенно влияет на возникновение суицидальных идей и связано с воспринимаемой социальной поддержкой [10].…”