Social Support and Problem-Solving as Moderators of the Relationship Between Childhood Abuse and Suicidality: Applications to a Delinquent Population

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between childhood abuse, social support, & problem-solving appraisal within a juvenile delinquent sample. 200 adolescents at detention centers were evaluated over a 5-month period. Childhood sexual abuse was found to be an independent predictor of suicidal ideation & behaviour. In addition, both problem-solving confidence & social support moderated the relationship between childhood abuse & suicidal ideation. The results of this study underscore the importance of both problem-solving appraisal & social support to suicidality in adolescents with a history of abuse. (35 refs)