Adverse and benevolent childhood experiences moderate the association between PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are a robust risk factor for SI. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can increase the risk for SI in the context of PTSD symptoms. Social support has been shown to buffer the impact of ACEs on SI. The current study aimed to examine the interaction between benevolent childhood experiences (BCEs), ACEs, and PTSD symptoms on SI. We administered a questionnaire to 837 undergraduate students (M_Age = 19.1; 88.3% White; 76.3% women). The three-way interaction between ACEs, BCEs, and PTSD symptoms on SI was significant, F(9,721) = 49.89, p < .001, and accounted for 38.38% of the variance in SI. The results of our study suggest that BCEs would weaken the relationship between PTSD symptoms and SI, regardless of ACE-level. These findings may inform future suicide research, prevention, and intervention efforts.