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The mediating effect of emotion dysregulation on the relationship between childhood maltreatment and suicidal ideation in patients with depression

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Childhood maltreatment is a well-established risk factor for suicidal ideation in patients with depression. However, the psychological mechanisms linking early adversity to current suicide risk remain incompletely understood. Early traumatic experiences may impair emotion regulation capacities, thereby exacerbating suicidal ideation. Objective: This study aimed to clarify the association between childhood maltreatment and suicidal ideation in depression by examining the potential mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties. Methods: We recruited 595 inpatients meeting ICD-10 criteria for a depressive episode. Participants underwent a comprehensive assessment, including sociodemographic and clinical data collection. Childhood maltreatment, suicidal ideation, and emotion regulation difficulties were evaluated using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation-Chinese Version (BSI-CV), and the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), respectively. Pearson correlation analysis was used to examine associations among childhood maltreatment, difficulties in emotion regulation, and suicidal ideation. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and the bootstrap method were used to test the mediating effect, and the model was modified transparently according to modification indices. Results: Childhood maltreatment was significantly associated with higher levels of suicidal ideation in patients with depression. Furthermore, greater difficulties in emotion regulation were linked to increased suicidal ideation. Critically, mediation analysis indicated that emotion regulation difficulties partially mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and suicidal ideation. Conclusion: These findings suggest that childhood maltreatment exerts both a direct effect on suicidal ideation in patients with depression and an indirect effect through the exacerbation of difficulties in emotion regulation.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1776388

Authors: Lina Chen, Yuling Feng, Yong Wang, Nana Xiong, Lixia Li, Xia Li

Institutions: Jiangsu University, Peking University Sixth Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801