Abstract

The study presented an integrated model that includes childhood physical abuse, PTSD symptoms, depression, suicidal ideation and social support, and examined the relationships between the variables. Two hundred and twenty two healthy individuals (80 males and 142 females) completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Scale for Suicidal Ideation, PTSD checklist-5, Hospital Anxiety-Depression Scale and DUKE-UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire. To test the hypothesized model, this study examined the multiple mediation effect, moderation effect and moderated mediation effect using the structural equation model. The results showed that PTSD symptoms and depression partially mediated the relationship between childhood physical abuse and suicidal ideation. Futhermore, the moderation effect of the social support was significant in the relationship between childhood physical abuse and PTSD symptoms. Finally, the moderated mediation effect of social support was significant in the relationship among childhood physical abuse, PTSD symptoms, depression and suicidal ideation. To our knowledge, this study is the first attempt to examine the relationship of childhood physical abuse, PTSD symptoms, depression, and suicidal ideation. The findings highlight the importance of social support as a protective factor. However, it is difficult to establish causality in the relationships between the variables based on cross-sectional data. Providing ongoing social support and expanding positive social networks are important steps in preventing PTSD and suicide in childhood physical abuse victims.