Work

Developing a model of suicidal ideation in female high school students based on childhood trauma: the mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The present study aimed to develop a structural model of suicidal ideation in female students, focusing on the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation within the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation. This descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 female high school students in Tehran during the 2024–2025 academic year. Participants were selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling. Data were collected using standardized instruments, including the Beck Suicide Ideation Questionnaire (BSI), the Short Form of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-SF), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and structural equation modeling with SPSS24 and AMOS26. Childhood trauma was significantly and positively associated with suicidal ideation (β = 0.22, p <.001) and difficulties in emotion regulation (β = 0.74, p <.001). Moreover, difficulties in emotion regulation were strongly related to suicidal ideation (β = 0.69, p <.001) and partially mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation (indirect effect=0.51, 95% CI [0.455, 0.647, p <.001). Overall, childhood trauma and emotion regulation difficulties explained 75% of the variance in suicidal ideation. Model fit indices indicated good fit (χ²/df = 2.112, CFI=0.987, RMSEA=0.06). The findings highlight the critical mediating role of emotion regulation difficulties in the link between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation among female students. These results suggest that early psychological interventions aimed at improving emotion regulation skills may reduce the risk of suicidal ideation in adolescents with trauma histories. Preventive programs in schools and mental health settings should prioritize enhancing adaptive emotion regulation strategies to mitigate the long-term effects of childhood trauma. Not applicable.

Source: BMC Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1186/s12888-026-08530-y

Authors: Esmaeil Sadri Damirchi, Mohammadreza Noroozi Homayoon, Mohamad Hatami Nejad, David Lester, Masoud Sadeghi

Institutions: University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, University of Tehran, Lorestan University, Stockton University

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: $3,290