Moderators of suicide ideation in Asian international students studying in Australia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective Stressful life events have been identified as risk factors for suicidal ideation in students. However, little research has explored the extent to which such events constitute a risk for suicidal ideation in Asian international students living in Australia. Even fewer studies have explored variables that moderate the relationship between stressful life events and suicidal ideation in this cohort. Methods One hundred and thirty-eight such students were asked to complete a battery of online questionnaires measuring experiences of stressful life events, loneliness, campus connectedness, coping strategies and suicidal ideation. Results Regression analyses indicated that the relationship between stress and suicidal ideation was moderated by lower levels of loneliness, higher levels of campus connectedness and problem-focused coping. Conclusions These findings emphasise factors to be addressed in suicide prevention for Asian international students studying in Australia.