Suicidality, posttraumatic stress, and depressive reactions after earthquake and maltreatment: A cross-sectional survey of a random sample of 6132 chinese children and adolescents

Our results highlight the need for the implementation of school-based, adolescent-centered suicide prevention programs in the long-term aftermath of exposure to traumatic events. Interventions may also need to be tailored to gender and developmental stage. Suicidality is independently associated with emotional abuse, neglect, depression and PTSD symptoms in this disaster-exposed young population. Longitudinal studies should explore whether depression and PTSD symptoms mediate the relationship between past emotional abuse or neglect and the current suicide risk.