Hopelessness and Childhood Trauma Experiences in the Relationship Between Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence and Suicidal Ideation Among Young Women in South Korea: A Moderated Mediation Model

Women in their 20s and 30s are particularly vulnerable to technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV). Such victims often perceive their circumstances as uncontrollable and one-sided, which may lead to hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Despite increasing awareness of the harmful psychological effects of TFSV, limited research has explored the mechanisms underlying its association with suicidal ideation. This study aimed to examine whether hopelessness mediates the relationship between TFSV and suicidal ideation, and whether this mediated association is moderated by childhood trauma experiences (CTE) based on the hopelessness theory of depression. A total of 390 South Korean women in their 20s and 30s participated in the study, with 55.7% reporting experiences of TFSV at least once. Results indicated that participants with a history of experiencing TFSV reported significantly higher levels of suicidal ideation. Mediation analysis using bootstrapping revealed that hopelessness partially mediated the relationship between TFSV and suicidal ideation. Moreover, the mediating effect of hopelessness on the relationship between TFSV and suicidal ideation was more pronounced among individuals with high levels of CTE. These findings underscore the cumulative impact of past and present trauma and highlight the need for trauma-informed interventions that address hopelessness among women affected by TFSV. Screening for childhood trauma may help identify those at heightened risk of severe psychological outcomes, including suicidal ideation. To effectively reduce the mental health burden of TFSV, both individual-level and systemic strategies such as stronger legal protection and increased public awareness of TFSV are essential.