Abstract
Objective:to analyze factors associated to suicide risk in postgraduate students.Method:a cross-sectional analytical study, developed with 565 stricto sensu postgraduate students from August to September 2019. Data collection took place using a validated instrument containing demographic, socioeconomic, health and academic variables; as well as variables of Module C of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), version 5.0; of the CAGE (Cut down, Annoyed by criticism, Guilty and Eye-opener) questionnaire; and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Descriptive and multiple statistical analysis was performed using the Poisson regression model, with a significance level of 5%.Results:40.8% prevalence of current suicide risk. The following variables were associated to current suicide risk: age > 30 years old (p=0.029), absence of faith (p=0.015), depression (p<0.001) and anxiety (p=0.018) symptoms, use of psychotropic drugs during the course (p<0.001), not having a meaningful and inspiring academic work (p=0.013), not having a good relationship with colleagues from the postgraduate school (p=0.033), having family relationship impaired by the demands of the postgraduate school (p=0.036) and concern about the financial situation (p=0.048).Conclusion:a high prevalence of current suicide risk was identified among postgraduate students, as well as a significant association of this risk with demographic, socioeconomic, academic and health variables.
Highlights
In the last decade, researchers have turned their attention to the serious problems related to suicide among university students, especially undergraduate students[1,2,3,4]
A total of 565 postgraduate students participated in the study, with a prevalence of current suicide risk estimated at 40.18%
In relation to the academic variables: 65.84% of the postgraduate students were attending master’s degrees and 34.16% doctorate courses, 43.36% agreed that their research could be harmed by lack of funding, 20.00% agreed that the family relationship was hindered by the demands of postgraduation, and 13.98% did not have a good relationship with the technicians of the course, 11.86% with their colleagues, 10.44% with the advisor, and 10.09% with the professors of the postgraduate course; and 12.04% disagreed that their academic work was significant and inspiring
Summary
Researchers have turned their attention to the serious problems related to suicide among university students, especially undergraduate students[1,2,3,4]. More recently, evidence regarding the vulnerability to suicidal behavior among postgraduate students has drawn the attention of researchers, health professionals, professors and institutions responsible for this population in different countries such as the United States[5], China[6] and Brazil[7], mainly due to the fact that stricto sensu postgraduate teaching has peculiarities and generates demands that exert great influence on the students’ lives, predisposing them to psychological distress and mental illness[7,8] In this context, suffering can have a negative impact on mental health, manifesting as malaise, feelings of anguish, stress, anxiety and tension, and may even take on more serious mental disorders, as well as suicide risk[7,8]. Despite these aspects, relatively little is known about the association of these factors related to college with the risk of suicide in this population[5,8]
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