Childhood Abuse and Suicidal Behaviors Among Chinese Migrant Workers: The Mediating Role of Alexithymia and Social Support

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the lifetime prevalence of suicidal behaviors in a sample of Chinese migrant workers. It also examined the mediating role of alexithymia and social support in the link between childhood abuse and suicidal behaviors. A total of 1,563 migrant workers were surveyed by using cluster sampling. Results showed that the estimated lifetime prevalence of suicide ideation, plan, and attempt among Chinese migrant workers was 12.8%, 8.1%, and 4.6%, respectively. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed a significant positive association between childhood abuse and suicidal behaviors; this association was partially mediated by social support. A significant path from childhood abuse through alexithymia and social support to suicidal behaviors was also established. Findings of this study emphasize the importance of social support and alexithymia in understanding the possible mechanisms underlying the relationship between childhood abuse and suicidal behaviors and suggest possible avenues for suicide interventions.

Keywords:

• social support
• childhood abuse
• suicidal behaviors
• alexithymia
• migrant workers

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the National Social Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 15BRK034). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Notes on contributors

Li Chen

Li Chen, PhD, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.

Arlette J. Ngoubene-Atioky

Arlette J. Ngoubene-Atioky, Chatham Univeristy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Goucher College, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Gina Zanardelli

Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.

Deng Yuanping

Deng Yuanping, Jimei University, Xiamen, China.

Linwei Yu

Linwei Yu, PhD, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.