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A new study published in the journal Death Studies suggests that positive childhood experiences can reduce the impact of trauma-related stress on suicidal thoughts in young adults. Researchers found that even among college students who reported symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and a history of adverse childhood experiences, those who recalled more supportive, affirming experiences from childhood were less likely to report suicidal ideation.
The findings offer evidence that early-life support may serve as a protective factor for suicide risk later in life—even in the presence of trauma. The study underscores the importance of both preventing early adversity and fostering positive relational experiences during childhood, especially in light of growing mental health concerns among college-aged populations.
Posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a mental health condition that can develop in response to traumatic events. Symptoms include distressing memories, avoidance of reminders, emotional numbness, negative changes in beliefs and mood, and feelings of disconnection from others. These symptoms can cause psychological pain and lead to a sense of hopelessness, both of which are known contributors to suicidal ideation.
Suicidal ideation refers to thoughts about ending one’s life. These can range from vague feelings of despair to detailed plans. In the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24. According to national data, nearly one in four college students has had suicidal thoughts in the past year.
Previous studies have shown that both PTSD and childhood trauma—often measured by a history of adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse or neglect—are associated with higher rates of suicidal thoughts. On the other hand, positive experiences during childhood, such as having a caring adult or feeling safe at home, may help buffer the negative impact of early adversity.
The new study was designed to explore how these factors interact. Specifically, the researchers wanted to find out whether benevolent childhood experiences could lessen the relationship between PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation—even in those who had experienced high levels of adversity.
The study involved 837 undergraduate students at a university in the Southeastern United States. The average age of participants was 19, and most identified as White (88%) and female (76%). Participants completed a series of online questionnaires that measured posttraumatic stress symptoms, suicidal ideation, adverse childhood experiences, and benevolent childhood experiences.
To measure PTSD symptoms, the researchers used a widely accepted checklist that asks about the severity of different trauma-related symptoms over the past month. Suicidal ideation was assessed using a scale that includes both passive and active thoughts about death, such as wishing one were dead or making a plan to end one’s life.
Adverse childhood experiences were measured using a 10-item questionnaire that included questions about abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction before age 18. Participants answered “yes” or “no” to each item. The more “yes” answers, the higher their score.
Benevolent childhood experiences were measured with a similar 10-item scale that asked about positive early life experiences, such as having a good friend or feeling that their parents believed they were important.
The researchers then analyzed how all three factors—PTSD symptoms, adverse childhood experiences, and benevolent childhood experiences—interacted to predict suicidal ideation. They used a statistical method that allowed them to examine the combined effects of these variables across different levels.
About 27% of participants reported some degree of suicidal ideation in the past year. Around 17% had experienced four or more adverse childhood experiences, a threshold often associated with higher risk for mental health problems. At the same time, the vast majority—nearly 80%—reported high levels of benevolent childhood experiences.
As expected, participants with more severe PTSD symptoms were more likely to report suicidal ideation. Higher levels of adverse childhood experiences also increased suicide risk. But the presence of positive early experiences consistently reduced this risk.
The most important finding came from the three-way interaction analysis. The researchers discovered that benevolent childhood experiences reduced the strength of the relationship between PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation—regardless of how many adverse experiences a participant had faced.
In other words, students with PTSD symptoms were less likely to think about suicide if they had also experienced supportive and affirming interactions in childhood. This buffering effect held true across all levels of adversity. Even those with high trauma exposure appeared to benefit from positive early relationships.
These results align with a well-supported psychological theory known as the Three-Step Theory of Suicide. This theory proposes that suicidal ideation emerges from the combination of psychological pain and hopelessness and intensifies when a person lacks a sense of connectedness to others or to meaningful aspects of life. Benevolent childhood experiences may provide a foundation for that sense of connectedness, even in the face of later trauma.
There are limitations to consider. The research was cross-sectional, meaning it captured a snapshot in time. Because of this, it cannot determine whether PTSD symptoms cause suicidal thoughts or whether benevolent experiences directly prevent them. Longitudinal studies following individuals over time would help clarify the direction of these relationships.
Another limitation is the study’s reliance on retrospective self-reporting. Participants were asked to recall childhood experiences, which could be subject to memory biases. People may remember or interpret past events differently depending on their current mental state.
The sample was also limited in diversity. Most participants were White, heterosexual, and cisgender women enrolled in college. These findings may not generalize to more diverse populations, including people with different racial, cultural, educational, or socioeconomic backgrounds.
Finally, while the study is consistent with the Three-Step Theory of Suicide, it did not directly measure the theory’s core components—such as hopelessness, psychological pain, or connectedness. Future research could incorporate more direct assessments of these concepts to better test the theory.
The study, “Adverse and benevolent childhood experiences moderate the association between PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation,” was authored by Mary C. Jensen, Stella W. J. Son, Evan J. Basting, Alyssa M. Medenblik, Jacqueline A. Sullivan, Tara Cornelius, and Gregory L. Stuart.