The Role of Psychiatric Symptoms and Environmental Vulnerability Factors in Explaining the Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Suicidality: A Prospective Investigation

Abstract Background Childhood maltreatment has been associated with suicide thoughts and attempts; however, few longitudinal studies have assessed risk of suicidality into adulthood. Fewer have examined potential mediators (psychiatric symptoms and environmental vulnerability factors). Methods Prospective cohort design. Children with documented cases of maltreatment (N = 495, ages 0-11) were matched with non-maltreated children (N = 395) and followed up into adulthood. Psychiatric symptoms (depression, anxiety, dysthymia, post-traumatic stress, antisocial personality, and substance use) and environmental vulnerability (social isolation, physical disability/illness, and homelessness) were assessed at mean age 29 and suicide thoughts and attempts at 39. Structural equation models tested for mediation, controlling for age, sex, race, and IQ. Results Childhood maltreatment predicted suicide attempts (Beta = .44, p Limitations Court cases of child maltreatment may not generalize to middle- or upper- class and non-reported cases. Effect sizes were small but significant. Conclusions Psychiatric risk factors for suicide are well recognized. These new results provide strong evidence that environmental vulnerability factors, particularly homelessness, are associated with increased risk for suicide attempts and warrant attention. Although many people report suicide thoughts, maltreated children with more psychiatric symptoms and experience homelessness are more likely to attempt suicide and warrant targeted interventions.