Suicidal ideation in patients with diabetes and childhood abuse – The mediating role of personality functioning: Results of a German representative population-based study

[Display omitted] •The underlying mechanisms of suicidal ideation in diabetes patients are still unclear.•Patients with diabetes show a 3-fold increased prevalence of suicidal ideation.•Childhood sexual and emotional abuse emerged as a risk factor.•Personality functioning was a mediator between emotional abuse and suicidal ideation.•Knowledge about these factors provides relevant information for prevention and treatment. Suicidal ideation (SID) in patients with diabetes mellitus is increasingly acknowledged. Still, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. We examined SID prevalences in patients with diabetes, its association with different types of abuse, and a mediating effect of personality functioning. In a representative population sample (N = 2,515), diabetes, SID, abuse (ICAST-R), personality functioning (OPD-SQS), and depression/anxiety (PHQ-4) were assessed by self-report. Statistical analyses comprised Chi2-Tests, logistic regression and mediation analyses. The prevalence of SID (21.8 %) was three fold higher in patients with diabetes compared to the general population. Abuse further increased the likelihood to report SID in diabetes patients (sexual: 48.1 % vs. 18.2 %; χ2(1) = 12.233, p