Childhood Trauma and Suicidal Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Non-Clinical Populations

Background: Suicide remains one of the leading preventable causes of mortality globally, with prior suicide attempts being the strongest known predictor of eventual death by suicide. Consequently, the identification and examination of modifiable risk factors, especially adverse childhood experiences and trauma, are of paramount importance. Objective: This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect size of childhood traumatic events on suicide attempts in non-clinical populations. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, and longitudinal and cross-sectional studies that retrospectively assessed childhood trauma occurring before age ۱۸ and examined suicide attempts in adulthood using validated self-report instruments were included. Ultimately, ۲۶ independent studies (published between ۲۰۱۴ and ۲۰۲۴) from ۱۴ countries, involving a total of more than ۳۸۰,۰۰۰ participants and providing ۵۶ effect sizes, were included in the random-effects meta-analysis.Results: Childhood traumatic experiences were associated with a ۲.۸۲-fold increased odds of suicide attempts (pooled OR = ۲.۸۲, ۹۵% CI: ۲.۵۴–۳.۱۳, P < ۰.۰۰۱, I² = ۹۸.۸%). The strongest associations were observed for childhood sexual abuse (OR = ۴.۹۳, ۹۵% CI: ۳.۳۷–۷.۲۱), physical abuse (OR = ۴.۳۴, ۹۵% CI: ۳.۳۳–۵.۶۶), and emotional abuse (OR = ۳.۲۴, ۹۵% CI: ۲.۴۱–۴.۳۶).Conclusions: A systematic review of previous studies demonstrated that childhood traumatic experiences, particularly sexual and physical abuse, significantly increase the risk of suicidal behaviors. These findings underscore the critical importance of implementing prevention programs and routine screening for childhood traumatic experiences in adolescent and young adult populations.

کلیدواژه ها:

Suicidal Behaviors ، childhood trauma ، Early Abuse Experiences ، suicide attempts