Social support and problem‐solving as moderators of the relationship between childhood abuse and suicidality: Applications to a delinquent population

Abstract The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between childhood abuse, social support, and problem‐solving appraisal within a juvenile delinquent sample. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to assess whether childhood abuse, social support, and problem‐solving appraisal were independently predictive of suicidality, and further, whether problem‐solving appraisal and social support moderated the childhood abuse–suicidality relationship. Childhood sexual abuse was found to be an independent predictor of suicidal ideation and behavior. In addition, both problem‐solving confidence and social support moderated the relationship between childhood abuse and suicidal ideation. The results of this study underscore the importance of both problem‐solving appraisal and social support to suicidality in adolescents with a history of abuse.