Mood Emot.  2021 Nov;19(3):77-84. 10.35986/me.2021.19.3.77.

The Association between Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Suicidality in College Students

• Yang HJ
• Jung YE
• Park JH
• Kim MD

• KMID: 2525662
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35986/me.2021.19.3.77

Abstract

Background
To address the high suicide rate in Korea, determining the suicidality risk factors is a key concern in policymaking and prevention. This study aimed to describe the effects of traumatic childhood experiences on suicidality among young adults.
Methods
This study included 1,379 subjects from two universities in Jeju, Korea. All participants completed selfadministered questionnaires that included demographic variables, the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scale to evaluate traumatic childhood experiences, and a Korean version of the Suicide Module of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview to evaluate suicidality.
Results
Of the subjects, 33.2% reported experiencing traumatic childhood experiences, and the prevalence of positive suicidality was 21.8%. Regression analyses indicated a significant association between traumatic childhood experiences and positive suicidality after controlling for multiple variables. Furthermore, subjects with positive suicidality were likely to report experiencing more traumatic childhood experiences (p<0.001). After categorizing the subjects into two groups according to ACE score, the positive ACE group showed a higher risk of suicidal ideation (p<0.001, adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.09) and suicidal attempt (p<0.001, AOR=4.15) than those negative ACE.
Conclusion
Intervention and practical strategies for college students with a history of traumatic childhood experiences must be considered for suicide prevention.

Keyword

Traumatic childhood experiences; College students; Suicide