SUICIDE PROBABILITY AND RELATED FACTORS AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS İN SANLIURFA

Abstract

This study aimed to determine suicide, suicidal ideation and related predisposing factors among university students. The sample of this cross-sectional study included 1,451 students studying at a university in Sanlırfa between October 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023. Data were collected online using a questionnaire prepared by the researchers and the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS). The mean SPS score of the students was 73.53 ± 17.41. Sub-dimension scores were 26.55 ± 7.10 for the hopelessness sub-dimension, 12.19 ± 3.75 for the suicidal ideation sub-dimension, 12.21 ± 3.75 for the hostility sub-dimension and 22.5 ± 5.50 for the negative self-evaluation sub-dimension. Furthermore, it was observed that the total SPS score was higher in those with a monthly income of 20 $ or less, smokers and substance users, those with a psychiatric history, those who had attempted suicide before, those with a history of attempted suicide in their family or environment, those who used psychiatric drugs and those who had been subjected to harassment or abuse before (p ˂ 0.05). Addressing the possibility of suicide among university students and conducting periodic screenings in terms of mental health will contribute to planning preventive mental health services for university students.