Suicidal Behaviors in College Students: Frequency, Sex Differences, and Mental Health Correlates Including Sluggish Cognitive Tempo

Abstract

PurposeTo (1) describe rates of suicidal behaviors in a sample of college students, (2) evaluate sex differences, and (3) provide a preliminary examination of the unique association of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms and other mental health dimensions in relation to suicidal behaviors in college students. MethodsParticipants were 1,704 college students from two universities who completed measures assessing mental health symptoms and suicidal behaviors (i.e., past ideation/attempts, past-year ideation, disclosure of intent to commit suicide to another person, and likelihood of a future suicide attempt). ResultsFour percent of participants reported a previous suicide attempt and 2.2% indicated that it was likely they would attempt suicide someday. 7.5% reported thinking about killing themselves often in the past year; 41.4% of these participants reported they had never told someone they might attempt suicide. Approximately one quarter (24%) of participants were classified with suicide risk based on an empirically established cutoff score, though rates differed between women (26.1%) and men (20.4%). Women were also more likely than men to report a previous suicide attempt and to tell someone else about their suicidal ideation. In regression models, depression was the strongest correlate of suicidal behaviors. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms were unassociated with suicidal behaviors when accounting for internalizing symptoms. SCT remained significantly associated with increased suicidal behaviors beyond other mental health dimensions including depression. ConclusionsA substantial minority of college students report suicidal behaviors, with sex differences dependent on the specific behavior examined. This study provides the first evidence linking SCT to suicidal behaviors in young adults.