The Effect of Childhood Trauma on Suicidal Ideation among University Students : The Moderated Mediation Effect of Depression by Perceived Romantic Partner Support

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study examines the effect of childhood trauma on suicidal ideation among university students through a moderated mediation model that incorporates depression as a mediator and perceived romantic partner support as a moderator. Grounded in Joiner's Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS), the research investigates how childhood trauma influences suicidal ideation indirectly through depression, and whether this indirect pathway is moderated by the level of perceived support from romantic partners. Data were collected from 285 university students enrolled in universities in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do who were currently in romantic relationships. Participants completed self-report measures assessing childhood trauma (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form), depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), suicidal ideation (Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation), and perceived romantic partner support (Perceived Romantic Partner Support Scale). The moderated mediation model was analyzed using PROCESS Macro Model 7, with bootstrap procedures employed to test indirect and conditional effects. Results revealed significant positive correlations among childhood trauma, depression, and suicidal ideation, while perceived romantic partner support was negatively associated with these variables. Depression significantly mediated the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, perceived romantic partner support moderated the relationship between childhood trauma and depression, such that the adverse effect of childhood trauma on depression was weakened under conditions of high partner support and strengthened under conditions of low support. The moderated mediation analysis confirmed that the indirect effect of childhood trauma on suicidal ideation through depression varied significantly according to levels of perceived romantic partner support. These findings highlight the importance of interpersonal resources in buffering the psychological consequences of early adversity. The results suggest that perceived romantic partner support functions as a critical protective factor that can reduce depression and subsequently lower suicide risk among university students with childhood trauma histories. Clinical implications emphasize the integration of relationship-based interventions and romantic partner support components into suicide prevention programs for young adults. Future research should employ longitudinal designs to establish causal mechanisms and examine additional moderating factors across diverse populations.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• I. Introduction 1
• 1. Rational and Purpose of the Study 1
• 2. Research Questions 10
• 3. Research Model 11
• 4. Definition of Terms 12
• 1) Childhood Trauma 12
• 2) Suicidal Ideation 12
• 3) Depression 13
• 4) Perceived Romantic Partner Support 13
• II. Literature Review 14
• 1. Interpersonal Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior (IPTS) 14
• 1) Thwarted Belongingness 15
• 2) Perceived Burdensomeness 17
• 3) Capablity for Suicide 19
• 4) Childhood Trauma 22
• 5) Suicidal Ideation 24
• 6) Depression 26
• 7) Perceived Romantic Partner Support 28
• 2. Relationships of Veriables 30
• 1) Childhood Trauma and Suicidal Ideation 30
• 2) Childhood Trauma and Depression 33
• 3) Depression and Suicidal Ideation 37
• 4) Depression and Romantic Partner Support 41
• 5) Childhood Trauma, Depression, Suicidal Ideation, Romantic Partner Support 45
• III. Research Method 50
• 1. Research Participants and Procedure 50
• 2. Measurement Tools 51
• 1) Childhood Trauma 51
• 2) Suicidal Ideation 52
• 3) Depression 53
• 4) Perceived Romantic Partner Support 54
• 3. Data Collection 55
• 4. Data Analysis 56
• IV. Research Results 58
• 1. Descriptive Statistics of the Main Variables 58
• 2. Correlation Analysis Among the Main Variables 60
• 3. The Mediating Effect of Depression on the Relationship Between Childhood Trauma and Suicidal Ideation 63
• 4. The Mediating Effect of Depression Moderated by Perceived Romantic Partner Support 65
• V. Discussion and Conclusion 70
• 1. Discussion 70
• 2. Implication and Limitation 79
• References 83
• Appendix 95