Childhood Abuse and Mentalization Among Students with Different Levels of Suicidal Ideation: A Comparative Study

Objective: This study aimed to compare childhood abuse experiences and mentalization capacities among university students with high and low levels of suicidal ideation. Methods: In a comparative cross-sectional study, ۵۲۸ students from Shahed University in Tehran Province, Iran (۲۰۲۴–۲۰۲۵) completed the Beck scale for suicide ideation (BSS). Based on cut-off scores, ۱۱۲ students (۵۶ with high and ۵۶ with low suicidal ideation) were selected using purposive sampling to ensure balanced group comparison. Participants also completed the childhood trauma questionnaire–short form (CTQ-SF) and the mentalization scale (MentS). Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results: Students with high suicidal ideation experienced more childhood abuse and exhibited poorer mentalization capacities across all domains than their low-ideation peers. Conclusion: The results highlight the intertwined influence of childhood trauma and impaired mentalization on suicidal ideation. Interventions aimed at reducing suicide risk among young adults should target both trauma recovery and enhancement of reflective functioning.

کلیدواژه ها:

Suicidal ideation ، Childhood abuse ، Mentalization ، Students