The salient role of childhood neglect in single and multiple suicide attempts among adult psychiatric inpatients

A growing body of evidence identifies childhood trauma, encompassing both abuse and neglect, as a potent predictor of suicide attempts across the lifespan. Clear delineation of its mechanisms is essential for advancing trauma-informed psychiatric care. This study examined the role of childhood maltreatment in single and multiple suicide attempts among adult psychiatric inpatients. In this cross-sectional study, 300 adult psychiatric inpatients, with and without a history of suicide attempts, were assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF), alongside the collection of sociodemographic and clinical data. Binary logistic regression was employed to evaluate the associations between childhood trauma, psychiatric diagnoses, and suicide attempt history, distinguishing between single and multiple attempts. = 0.683). Emotional neglect was the most prevalent trauma type (93%), whereas sexual abuse was the least common (27%); 90% of participants reported two or more trauma types. Emotional abuse was associated with increased odds of any suicide attempt [odds ratio (OR) = 1.04], while physical neglect was associated with increased odds of multiple attempts (OR = 1.14). Our findings indicate that most forms of childhood trauma may contribute to repeated suicide attempts. Neglect exerts a heightened effect when co-occurring with other maltreatment types, suggesting a dose-response relationship. This synergistic impact underscores the need for comprehensive trauma assessments that capture both the severity and multiplicity of adverse experiences.