Examining Social Support as a Protective Factor in the Relationship between Trauma Exposure and Suicide Risk among Black Women Survivors of Sexual Assault

Sexual assault disproportionately impacts Black women, resulting in profound psychological consequences, including an elevated risk of suicidal behaviors. Utilizing data from Panthers4Life, this study explores the moderating effect of perceived social support on the relationship between cumulative trauma exposure and suicidal behaviors among Black women survivors of sexual assault. The sample comprised 96 Black college women who completed an online survey assessing their trauma history, suicidality, and levels of social support. Linear regression analyses examined whether perceived support from family, friends, and significant others moderated the link between trauma exposure and suicidality. Results indicated that higher levels of perceived social support from family (p = .042), friends (p = .003), and significant others (p = .040) each significantly attenuated the association between trauma exposure and suicidal behaviors. These findings underscore the protective role of diverse support networks in reducing trauma-related suicidality. Future research should include larger, more diverse samples of Black women and focus on identifying groups experiencing low or limited access to social support. Policy initiatives should prioritize strengthening campus mental health services, implementing universal social skills training in grade schools, and increasing trauma recovery funding by promoting workplace mental health leave to cultivate systemic support for vulnerable populations.