Background: Suicide remains one of the leading preventable causes of mortality globally, with prior suicide attempts being the strongest known predictor of eventual death by suicide. Consequently, the identification and examination of modifiable risk factors, especially adverse childhood experiences and trauma, are of paramount importance. Objective: This meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effect size of childhood traumatic events on suicide attempts in non-clinical populations. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, and longitudinal and cross-sectional studies that retrospectively assessed childhood trauma occurring before age 18 and examined suicide attempts in adulthood using validated self-report instruments were included. Ultimately, 26 independent studies (published between 2014 and 2024) from 14 countries, involving a total of more than 380,000 participants and providing 56 effect sizes, were included in the random-effects meta-analysis. Results: Childhood traumatic experiences were associated with a 2.82-fold increased odds of suicide attempts (pooled OR = 2.82, 95% CI: 2.54–3.13, P < 0.001, I² = 98.8%). The strongest associations were observed for childhood sexual abuse (OR = 4.93, 95% CI: 3.37–7.21), physical abuse (OR = 4.34, 95% CI: 3.33–5.66), and emotional abuse (OR = 3.24, 95% CI: 2.41–4.36). Conclusions: A systematic review of previous studies demonstrated that childhood traumatic experiences, particularly sexual and physical abuse, significantly increase the risk of suicidal behaviors. These findings underscore the critical importance of implementing prevention programs and routine screening for childhood traumatic experiences in adolescent and young adult populations.
amani, M. and Zahra Heidari-Archandani, Z. (2026). Childhood Trauma and Suicidal Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Non-Clinical Populations. Preventive Counseling, 7(3), -. doi: 10.22098/jpc.2026.19484.1371
MLA
amani, M. , and Zahra Heidari-Archandani, Z. . "Childhood Trauma and Suicidal Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Non-Clinical Populations", Preventive Counseling, 7, 3, 2026, -. doi: 10.22098/jpc.2026.19484.1371
HARVARD
amani, M., Zahra Heidari-Archandani, Z. (2026). 'Childhood Trauma and Suicidal Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Non-Clinical Populations', Preventive Counseling, 7(3), pp. -. doi: 10.22098/jpc.2026.19484.1371
CHICAGO
M. amani and Z. Zahra Heidari-Archandani, "Childhood Trauma and Suicidal Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Non-Clinical Populations," Preventive Counseling, 7 3 (2026): -, doi: 10.22098/jpc.2026.19484.1371
VANCOUVER
amani, M., Zahra Heidari-Archandani, Z. Childhood Trauma and Suicidal Behaviors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis in Non-Clinical Populations. Preventive Counseling, 2026; 7(3): -. doi: 10.22098/jpc.2026.19484.1371
)