Adverse Childhood Experiences and Suicidal Ideation Among Korean Unwed Mothers

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death, and the rates of suicidal ideation are higher among unwed mothers compared to their counterparts in the Republic of Korea. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with negative health and behavior outcomes, including suicidal ideation. However, the impact of ACEs on suicidal ideation among Korean unwed mothers remains underexplored. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between ACEs and suicidal ideation in adulthood within a sample of 255 Korean unwed mothers. Logistic regression was used to examine the impact of both cumulative and specific ACEs on suicidal ideation in adulthood. The results showed that 34.1% of mothers reported suicidal ideation, 79.8% experienced at least one ACE, and 44.7% reported experiencing four or more ACEs, highlighting a significant level of risk. The number of ACEs was associated with increased odds of having suicidal ideation. Distinct effects of specific types and combinations of ACEs were also identified. Unwed mothers exposed to physical neglect, emotional neglect, or domestic violence were at heightened risk of suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that neglect and domestic violence are critical factors in identifying unwed mothers at risk for suicidal ideation and underscore the necessity of implementing trauma-informed practices to mitigate suicide risk.