Dysfunctional parenting and suicidal ideation: The moderating role of hostility

Abstract

Childhood maltreatment stemming from dysfunctional parenting is a well-established risk factor for suicidal ideation. In turn, dysfunctional parenting has been linked to an increased tendency to develop hostility, which often relates to self-directed aggression and suicide. However, the interactive role of hostility in shaping the relationship between dysfunctional parenting and suicidal ideation remains largely understudied, as do the distinct contributions of maternal and paternal dysfunctional parenting to these associations. The present cross-sectional study sought to address these gaps by investigating the moderating role of hostility in the association between maternal and paternal dysfunctional parenting and suicidal ideation in a large sample of young adults (N = 683, 539 F). Moderation analyses showed that, in individuals with greater paternal dysfunctional parenting, higher levels of hostility were associated with greater suicidal ideation, whereas lower levels of hostility were linked to reduced suicidal ideation. Among those with greater maternal dysfunctional parenting, only the mitigating role of lower hostility levels on suicidal ideation remained significant. Given that dysfunctional parenting is a maladaptive interpersonal dynamic and that hostility exacerbates broader interpersonal difficulties, these findings underscore the critical role of the social domain in shaping suicidal ideation. Clinical interventions that target hostility in young adults with a history of dysfunctional parenting may be effective in mitigating suicide risk.