The relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal thoughts in students: the mediating role of mentalization and mindfulness

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between childhood trauma and suicidal thoughts, considering the mediating roles of mentalization and mindfulness in a students. The research method was descriptive correlational (structural equations). The statistical population included all boy and geirl high school students in Mashhad during the 2023-2024 academic year, with 330 students selected as the sample using multi-stage cluster random sampling. To measure the research variables, the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (2003), Beck's Suicide Ideation Scale (1998),Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (2016), and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (2006) were used. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS25 and AMOS24 software. The findings showed that childhood trauma (β= 0.21), mindfulness (β= -0.32 certainty Mentalization factor (β= -0.25), and Uncertainty Mentalization factor (β=0.18) had a direct and significant effect on suicidal thoughts (P<0.01). Additionally, childhood trauma had a direct and significant effect on mindfulness (β=-0.85), certainty Mentalization factor (β = -0.81), and Uncertainty Mentalization factor (β=0.81) (P< 0.01). Regarding the indirect effect, childhood trauma through mindfulness (β=0.27), certainty Mentalization factor (β=0.20), and Uncertainty Mentalization factor (β= 0.14) had an indirect effect on suicidal thoughts (P< 0.01). Planning to enhance mentalization capacity and mindfulness skills can reduce suicidal thoughts in this group of affected students.