Conference Agenda

Background: Child maltreatment (CM) is associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) in adulthood. Although most suicide theories list CM as a risk factor, the underlying mechanisms of how these experiences increase the vulnerability to STB remain largely unclear. Several studies have investigated various mediators and moderators that might explain this association, but it is still unclear which of these factors are most responsible for this relationship.

Objective: This systematic review aims to synthesize current evidence on psychological mechanisms mediating and/or moderating the association between CM and STB in adults.

Methods: We will conduct a systematic literature search in four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Web of Science) to identify quantitative studies examining mediators and/or moderators between CM (including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as physical and emotional neglect) and STB in adults. Inclusion criteria encompass studies on STB and CM using a quantitative research design and published in peer-reviewed journals in English. Planned methods include study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment following PRISMA guidelines.

Expected Outcomes: We anticipate identifying several key mediating or moderating factors for both suicidal thoughts and behavior, which will help understanding the underlying mechanisms and developing more targeted interventions for suicide prevention within this vulnerable group. These findings may also help improving current suicide theories.

Conclusion: This review will provide an integrative overview of underlying mechanisms between CM and STB in adults and highlight research gaps for future investigations. Results are expected to be finalized by the time of the congress.

Background: Suicide-bereaved individuals are often confronted with profound grief reactions and also have an increased risk for mental health disorders, as well as suicidal ideation. To date, little is known about the development of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), and the associated symptom clusters, following a loss by suicide.

Objective: This study aims to explore the level of PTSD, CPTSD, depression, and PG symptoms in survivors of suicide loss, taking both loss-related and socio-demographic variables into account.

Method: A total of 161 suicide loss survivors completed an online questionnaire, which collected information on the suicide, as well as symptoms of grief (TGI-SR+), PTSD, CPTSD (ITQ), and depression (PHQ-D).

Results: In total, 12.3% met the diagnosis for CPTSD and 5.0% for PTSD. A total of 27.3% fulfilled the diagnosis for PGD. Time since loss was associated with PG and PTSD symptoms, kinship to the deceased was associated with PG severity. The sample scored high on all CPTSD associated symptom clusters.

Conclusions: Suicide loss survivors show an increased prevalence of CPTSD and its symptom clusters. A focus on symptoms of CPTSD may be a necessary component in the care of survivors of suicide loss.

Background: Between 1949 and 1990, approximately half a million children and adolescents grew up in residential care institutions and reformatories in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). Testimonies highlight a wide range of adverse and frequently traumatic experiences, including child maltreatment and sexual abuse, with long-term psychological consequences that persist into adulthood. While biographical reports have repeatedly described self-harming and suicidal behaviour among residents, empirical evidence on its prevalence has been scarce.

Methods: A questionnaire-based survey conducted between 2020 and 2021 assessed psychosocial consequences among former residents of GDR youth welfare institutions. In total, 273 adults (48.6% women; aged 36–84 years) provided retrospective information about their experiences in residential care, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicide attempts during their time in the institutions, and current suicidality as measured by the SBQ-R.

Results: 20.2% (n = 52) of respondents reported self-harming behaviour during their stay in the institutions, and 13.2% (n = 34) had attempted suicide while in care. At the time of the surveys, 27.4% (n = 71) showed an elevated risk of suicide according to the SBQ-R. The findings indicate that earlier NSSI and previous suicide attempts are associated with a heightened risk of suicidality in adulthood, suggesting persistent and long-lasting mental health consequences.

Conclusion: The results demonstrate that children and adolescents in GDR residential care frequently experienced severe psychological distress, which in many cases manifested in NSSI and suicide attempts as coping mechanisms. The persistently elevated suicide risk among former residents underscores the profound and enduring impact of trauma and child maltreatment in these institutions, highlighting the need for long-term psychosocial support and further research on this historically neglected population.

Background: Refugees are exposed to a variety of physical and, in particular, psychological stressors before, during and after their flight, making them a particularly vulnerable group for mental disorders. This also increases the risk of developing suicidal thoughts and behaviours, but empirical evidence is limited so far.

Method: Between May 2017 and June 2018, 567 refugees in a primary reception centre for asylum seekers were asked about their mental health. The questionnaire included socio-demographic and flight-related questions as well as standardised instruments for assessing somatic complaints (SSS-8), depression and suicidal ideation (PHQ-9) and PTSD (PCL-5).

Results: 564 individuals (female: n=173, male: n=391) answered the question about suicidal thoughts. Of these, 171 (30.3%) confirmed having suicidal thoughts (female: n=53 (30.5%), male: 118 (29.9%)). In addition, a high proportion of suicidal thoughts were found to be highly prevalent among those with mental disorders, e.g. PTSD (n=110 (65.9%)), depression (n=121 (71.2%) or somatic complaints (n=84 (50%)). In logistic regression analyses, PTSD (OR=6.75, p<0.001), depression (OR=7.41, p<0.001) and somatic complaints (OR=3.63, p<0.001) were associated with suicidal thoughts, controlling for age and gender.

Conclusions: Asylum seekers have an increased risk of serious mental problems and suicidal thoughts. Therefore, the systematic assessment of these and the use of appropriate culture-specific interventions should be a high priority.