Dysfunctional parenting and suicidal ideation: The moderating role of hostility

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychiatry
• Public Health

Background:

• Childhood maltreatment from dysfunctional parenting is a known risk factor for suicidal ideation.
• Dysfunctional parenting is linked to increased hostility, which can relate to self-directed aggression and suicide.
• The interactive role of hostility and distinct parental influences on suicidal ideation are understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the moderating role of hostility in the association between maternal and paternal dysfunctional parenting and suicidal ideation.
• To examine the distinct contributions of maternal and paternal dysfunctional parenting.
• To address gaps in understanding the complex interplay of parenting, hostility, and suicidal ideation.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study design.
• Analysis of a large sample of young adults (N=683).
• Moderation analyses to assess the interaction between parenting styles, hostility, and suicidal ideation.

Main Results:

• Higher paternal dysfunctional parenting combined with higher hostility predicted greater suicidal ideation.
• Lower hostility was associated with reduced suicidal ideation, particularly with higher paternal dysfunctional parenting.
• Among individuals with higher maternal dysfunctional parenting, lower hostility significantly mitigated suicidal ideation.

Conclusions:

• Hostility plays a critical moderating role in the relationship between dysfunctional parenting and suicidal ideation.
• Findings underscore the importance of the social domain and interpersonal dynamics in shaping suicide risk.
• Clinical interventions targeting hostility in young adults with a history of dysfunctional parenting may reduce suicide risk.