Suicidal Ideation In College Students Research Articles

Using recursive partitioning to predict presence and severity of suicidal ideation amongst college students

Objective Predicting the presence and severity of suicidal ideation in college students is important, as deaths by suicide amongst young adults have increased in the past 20 years. Participants We recruited college students (N = 5494) from ten universities across eight states. Method Participants answered three questionnaires related to lifetime and past month suicidal ideation, and an indicator of suicidal ideation in a DSM-5 symptom measure. We used recursive partitioning to predict the presence, absence, and severity, of suicidal ideation. Results Recursive partitioning models varied in their accuracy and performance. The best-performing model consisted of predictors and outcomes measured by the DSM-5 Level 1 Cross-Cutting Symptom Measure. Sexual orientation was also an important predictor in most models. Conclusions A single measure of DSM-5 symptom severity may help universities understand suicide severity to promote targeted interventions. Though further work is needed, as similar scaling amongst predictors could have influenced the model.

Association between sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation in college students

ABSTRACT Suicide among college students is a challenging problem globally. Yet, the association between sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation remains unclear. This study aims to understand if depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between sleep quality and suicide ideation and whether the interaction between depressive symptoms and sleep quality on suicidal ideation is additive. A total of 1182 college students were recruited, and sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation were assessed using questionnaires. Univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis, linear regression models, and the Sobel test were performed. The results showed that, among college students, poor sleep quality was positively associated with suicidal ideation, and the association was mediated through depressive symptoms. Moreover, there was a significant additive interaction between poor sleep quality and depressive symptoms on suicidal ideation. These findings suggest that, in the process of preventing and treating suicidal ideation in college students with sleep disorders, we should focus on the evaluation and intervention of depressive symptoms and adopt multidisciplinary team interventions for college students with sleep disorders and depression.

Internet addiction and suicidal ideation in Chinese college students: The role of meaning in life and social support

Worldwide, internet addiction and suicidal ideation have become serious issues in public health. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms in the relationship between internet addiction and suicidal ideation. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between internet addiction and suicidal ideation, and the role of meaning in life (MIL) and social support in this relationship. A total of 714 (female= 53.78%; mean age = 18.29 years, SD = 0.68 years) completed internet addiction, suicidal ideation, MIL, and social support measures. Results from PROCESS Model analysis showed higher internet addiction to be associated with a higher risk for suicidal ideation. This association was fully mediated by MIL so that internet addiction predicts suicidal ideation by reducing MIL. Social support moderated the effect of loss of MIL on suicidal ideation; namely, a lower sense of MIL was associated with higher suicidal ideation at low levels of social support, while high social support eliminated the effect of meaninglessness on suicidal ideation among college students. These findings imply a need for intervention in order to prevent suicidal ideation in college students in the digital era.

The Relationship between Family Support and Suicide Ideation in College Students

Introduction: Suicide is the second leading cause of death among teenagers and early adults. Suicidal behavior is related to the family support provided. The aim of this research is to determine the relationship between family support and suicidal ideation among students at a university in Pekanbaru, Riau. Method: This research uses a descriptive correlation design using a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 100 respondents taken using the accidental sampling technique. The measuring instruments used were the Perceived Social Support-Family Scale (PSS-Fa) questionnaire for family support and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (BSS) for suicidal ideation. Data analysis used the chi-square test. Results: It is known that the majority of respondents have family support in the good and sufficient categories with the same number, namely 39 respondents (39.0%). For the variable suicidal ideation, the majority of respondents were in the low risk category totaling 52 respondents (52.0%), while the remainder were in the high risk category totaling 28 respondents (28.0%) and very high risk totaling 20 respondents (20 .0%). The results of statistical tests show that there is a relationship between family support and suicidal ideation in students (p value 0.021 α 0.05). Conclusion: Family support has a significant relationship with suicidal ideation.

A further comparison between meaning and purpose: Examining factor structures, partial correlational, unique, and indirect associations with mental health outcomes

ABSTRACT This study explored the factor structures, partial correlational, unique and indirect associations of meaning and purpose with depressive symptoms and suicide ideation in college students (n = 956) and adults with chronic illness (n = 346). Results showed that correlated two-factor models better captured (both absence and presence of) meaning and purpose, compared to the unidimensional models. Although meaning and purpose were strongly associated, they were differentially correlated with and predictive of mental health outcomes. On one hand, while absence of meaning was positively and moderately correlated with and predictive of depressive symptoms and suicide ideation, the associations of absence of purpose were, albeit similar, weak. On the other hand, presence of meaning was negatively and moderately correlated with and predictive of depressive symptoms and suicide ideation, and the presence of purpose only predicted suicide ideation in negligible amounts among students but not adults with chronic illness. In both samples, absence of meaning and purpose were indirectly and positively related to suicide ideation through their positive associations with depressive symptoms; whereas presence of meaning, but not presence of purpose, was indirectly and negatively associated with suicide ideation through its negative associations with depressive symptoms. Conceptual and counseling implications are discussed.

Family Atmosphere and Suicidal Ideation in College Students: The Chain Mediation Effect of Attachment and Cognitive Flexibility

Numerous studies have extensively examined the risk factors associated with suicidal ideation (SI). Nevertheless, there has been a dearth of research analyzing the potential positive factors, such as attachment and cognitive flexibility, that might contribute to a reduction in SI and facilitate more effective interventions. This study aimed to investigate the chain-mediating effects of attachment and cognitive flexibility on the family atmosphere and SI. Data were collected from 856 (range = 18–28 years old, 240 males) emerging adults who completed the Family Atmosphere Scale, the Relationship Questionnaire, the Cognitive Flexibility Scale, and the Self-rated Ideation of Suicide Scale. The findings revealed that the family atmosphere not only exerted a direct influence on SI but also operated through a chain-mediation mechanism involving fearful attachment and cognitive control flexibility. This study concludes that fearful attachment and cognitive control flexibility may mediate the impact of a negative family atmosphere on SI.

The Effects of Loneliness and Meaning of Life on Suicidal Ideation in College Students

The Effects of Loneliness and Meaning of Life on Suicidal Ideation in College Students

Family functioning and suicidal ideation in college students: a moderated mediation model of depression and acceptance.

To explore the mediating role of depression in the relationship between family functioning and suicidal ideation (SI) in college students, and to explore whether acceptance (It is one of the core components of psychological flexibility) plays a moderating role in this mediating model. In a cross-sectional study, questionnaires were distributed to college students during November and December 2022. The sample of Chinese college students (n = 592, 43.07% male, 56.93% female, mean age 19.40 years, SD = 1.24 years) completed the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES III), the Center for Epidemiological Depression Scale (CES-D), the Positive and Negative Suicide Ideation Inventory (PANSI), and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Second Edition (AAQ II). SPSS 25.0 for Windows and PROCESS 2.15 macros were used for data analysis. There was a significant negative correlation between family functioning and SI, and depression played a mediating role in this relationship. Acceptance moderated the indirect effects of depression and SI in college students. In college students with a lower acceptance level (i.e., higher experiential avoidance level), depression had more influence on SI, while the influence of depression on SI was less in college students with a higher acceptance level (i.e., lower experiential avoidance level). Family functioning indirectly influenced SI through the moderation of acceptance. Mental health educators in colleges and universities should pay more attention to identifying and relieving depression in college students, thereby dealing with suicide risk more effectively. At the same time, college students should be discouraged from excessive use of experiential avoidance strategies, and instead taught to master effective emotional regulation strategies such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, and radical acceptance skills to improve their acceptance level and alleviate the influence of depression on SI.

Applying the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide to inform the association between bullying victimization and suicidal ideation in college students

Objective: Victims of bullying are at increased risk for suicidal ideation. The purpose of the current study is to examine the impact of bullying victimization in childhood on college student’s current report of suicidal ideation through two mechanisms derived from the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide. Participants: Our sample consists of 304 undergraduate college students from a large, southeastern university. Methods: We employed a cross-sectional design with self-report surveys to examine the indirect effects of childhood bullying victimization frequency on suicidal ideation through thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. Results: The association between bullying victimization and suicidal ideation was explained by perceived burdensomeness, but not thwarted belongingness. Conclusions: Bullying victimization in childhood may have distal effects on suicidal ideation through influencing perceptions of worthlessness and self-hatred. Interventions in college settings that address the impact of bullying victimization on perceived burdensomeness may reduce potential for suicidal ideation among college students.

Perceived Family Support Buffers the Impact of PTSD-Depression Symptoms on Suicidal Ideation in College Students.

Students reporting symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are at increased risk for suicidal ideation, putting them at greater risk for suicidal behavior and attempts. Perceived social support is a robust protective factor against the impact of PTSD and depression on suicidal ideation in college students, however different forms of social support (family, friends, significant others) may have greater influence on this association. In the current study, the influence of the different types of perceived social support on the relationship between PTSD-depression symptoms and suicidal ideation in college students were examined. College students (N = 928; 71% female) were recruited in part of a cross-sectional survey study examining the role of mental health on education functioning. A hierarchical regression indicated that PTSD-depression symptoms (b = .27, p < .001) and perceived family support (b = -.04, p < .01) were significantly associated with current suicidal ideation, while perceived support from friends (b = -.02, p = .417) and significant others (b = -.01, p = .301) were not. Perceived family support interacted with PTSD-depression symptoms (b = -.03, p < .05) to weaken the positive influence of symptoms on current suicidal ideation. Perceived family support appears to be the significant component of social support that moderates the relationship between PTSD-depression symptoms and suicidal ideation. Future research should focus on strengthening family support as a potential mechanism to mitigate suicide risk among college students who may be away from their families for the first time.

Exercise adherence and suicidal ideation of Chinese college students: a chain mediation model test.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between exercise adherence and suicidal ideation in college students, as well as the mediating role of meaning in life and internet addiction. A total of 1925 college students (Mage = 19.51 years, SDage = 2.393 years) were recruited by stratified cluster sampling method in Zhaoqing University, among which 890 were males and 1,035 were females. Exercise adherence, meaning in life, internet addiction and suicidal ideation were assessed by using standard scales. Data were analyzed by Pearson Correlation Analysis, and bias-correction percentile Bootstrap method. (1) There is a significant correlation between exercise adherence, meaning in life, internet addiction and suicide ideation; (2) meaning in life plays a significant mediating role between exercise adherence and suicidal ideation; internet addiction plays a significant mediating role between exercise adherence and suicidal ideation; meaning in life and internet addiction play a chain mediating role between exercise adherence and suicide ideation. Exercise adherence can not only directly predict college students' suicidal ideation, but also indirectly predict college students' suicidal ideation through the independent mediation and chain mediation of meaning in life and internet addiction.

Application of the Three-Step Ideation-to-Action Theory to Passive and Active Suicidal Ideation in College Students.

Few studies have tested the three-step theory of suicide (3ST), particularly in college students, who have unique developmental experiences of connectedness and high rates of suicidal ideation (SI). This study tested if factors purported in the 3ST distinguish undergraduate students with no SI, passive SI, and active SI using two conceptualizations of connectedness: social connection and meaning in life. A sample of undergraduate students aged 18-26 from an urban university completed an online survey (n=265). Results showed some support for the 3ST. Greater psychological pain increased likelihood of passive SI (OR=3.74, p<.001); the model accurately identified 36% of students with passive SI. Greater pain (OR=2.74, p=.01) and hopelessness (OR=17.17, p<.05) differentiated students with active SI from those without SI in social connection models. In meaning models, greater pain relative to meaning in life differentiated students with passive SI (OR=2.29, p<.01) and active SI (OR=1.81, p<.05) relative to no SI. Each model accurately identified 68% of students with active SI. No 3ST factors differentiated students with passive SI from those with active SI. There was limited applicability for 3ST in differentiating college students with passive SI from those with no SI or active SI, with better differentiation of students with active SI relative to no SI. Interventions for college students with passive and active SI could target psychological pain, foster hope, and cultivate meaning.

Associations among Distress Rumination, Somatic Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation in Chinese College Students - Shandong Province, China, 2019-2020.

The literature has consistently demonstrated that distress rumination following a traumatic event has significant implications for mental health. However, the potential association between distress rumination and suicidality, as well as the underlying mechanisms driving this relationship, remains to be elucidated. The current study demonstrated a significant, positive correlation between distress rumination and suicidal ideation in college students who have encountered traumatic events. The findings indicate that somatic anxiety serves as a mediator between distress rumination and suicidal ideation. Interventions aimed at reducing somatic anxiety may contribute to a decrease in suicidal ideation. Assessing and addressing somatic anxiety symptoms in college students experiencing distressful rumination following traumatic events could potentially lower the risk of suicide.

Coping competence and hopelessness moderate the influence of perceived burdensomeness on suicidal ideation in undergraduate college students.

According to the interpersonal theory of suicide, the perception of imposing a burden on loved ones increases the risk for suicidal ideation. Little research, however, has examined the interaction of burdensomeness with cognitive variables in predicting suicidal ideation in college students even though the relationship between burdensomeness and ideation may be contingent on levels of cognitive risk factors. The present study thus examined the relationships between burdensomeness, hopelessness, coping competence, and suicidal ideation. Questionnaires were administered to 279 undergraduate students from a university in the Midwest United States. After controlling for depression, hopelessness, and coping competence, burdensomeness significantly predicted ideation and accounted for variance above and beyond the control variables. Moreover, the relationship between burdensomeness and suicidal ideation was significantly moderated by coping competence and hopelessness. The findings suggest that perceived burdensomeness plays a critical role in the risk for suicide in college students. More specifically, the findings suggest that coping competence and hopelessness can be ideal targets for interventions as changes in these variables may attenuate the association between perceived burdensomeness and suicidal ideation.

Academic Perfectionism, Psychological Well-Being, and Suicidal Ideation in College Students.

High levels of perfectionism in college students can compromise their academic performance and psychological well-being. This study aims to analyze the implication of perfectionism in psychological well-being and suicidal ideation in the last year. A total of 1.287 students from different degrees reported their academic performance in the previous academic year and completed questionnaires on academic perfectionism, psychological well-being, and suicidal thoughts in the last year. In both men and women, academic perfectionism correlates positively with academic performance and negatively with the different dimensions of psychological well-being. Likewise, both the average grade in the previous year (β = 0.364) and the level of demand of the degree (β = -0.461) are mediating variables between perfectionism and psychological well-being. Furthermore, the interaction between perfectionism and academic performance is related positively to psychological well-being, but not to with suicidal ideation. So, the relation between suicidal ideation and perfectionism is positive (OR = 1.075), but this is negative with academic performance (OR = 0.900), although both variables show a mild predictive capacity. These findings suggest that the levels of perfectionism are associated differently with the mental health of students, since if perfectionism is effective (high academic performance), psychological well-being is high, although in our results, this interaction is not as important for suicidal thoughts.

Academic Procrastination, Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation in University Students: A look during the Pandemic.

Objective: The aim is to determine the relationship between academic procrastination, depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in students of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Method : It was a non-experimental and cross-sectional study of correlational scope. The non-probabilistic convenience sample, made up of 578 participants between 16 and 30 years old (69% female), completed the Academic Procrastination Scale, the Positive and Negative Suicidal Ideation Inventory (PANSI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Frequencies and percentages were estimated at a descriptive level, the partial correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression were utilized to examine the associations between academic procrastination and suicidal ideation. Results: Subjects with a higher score of academic procrastination and BDI-II reported higher scores for suicidal ideation than those with a lower score (P < 0.01). A positive significant relationship was found between total academic procrastination and its subscales and suicidal ideation (P < 0.01). This correlation remained significant after controlling for depression (P < 0.05). Moreover, multiple linear regression revealed that academic procrastination, its subscales and depressive symptoms could explain about 20% of the total suicidal ideation in university students (R2 = 0.198). Conclusion: Increased levels of academic procrastination increase suicidal ideation in college students during the pandemic. These results suggest the need to create interventions for the prevention of this problem in the fields of educational and public health.

Depressive Symptoms as a Mediator between Excessive Daytime Sleepiness and Suicidal Ideation among Chinese College Students.

The purpose of this study was to verify the mediating role of depressive symptoms between excessive daytime sleepiness and suicidal ideation in college students. Of the 6944 participants, 2609 (37.6%) were male and 4335 (62.4%) were female. College students with excessive daytime sleepiness (p < 0.001) and those with depressive symptoms (p < 0.001) were more likely to have suicidal ideation. Moreover, both excessive daytime sleepiness (β = 0.14, 95% CI: 1.01−1.32) and depressive symptoms (β = 1.47, 95% CI: 3.80−5.00) were associated with suicidal ideation. The effect size of the mediating role of depressive symptoms in excessive daytime sleepiness to suicidal ideation was 50.41% for the entire sample, 58.33% for males, and 42.98% for females. Depressive symptoms partially mediated the relationship between excessive daytime sleepiness and suicidal ideation. The timely assessment of depressive symptoms in college students with excessive daytime sleepiness, and intervention, may reduce their risk of suicidal ideation.

Suicidal ideation in college students having major depressive disorder: Role of childhood trauma, personality and dysfunctional attitudes

BackgroundSuicide in college students is a major public health concern. Suicidal ideation (SI) is associated with childhood trauma, personality, dysfunctional attitudes and depressive symptoms, but how they interact to predict SI remains unclear. MethodsUsing cross-sectional design and convenience sampling method, a survey was conducted among 565 college students having major depressive disorder (MDD). The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale and Hamilton Depression Scale assessed participants' psychosocial factors. Chi-square test, t-test, Pearson correlation, and Structural Equation Model were used in data analysis. ResultsOverall, 66.02% of participants with MDD had SI. Those with SI showed significant differences in physical abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, psychoticism, neuroticism, extroversion, dysfunctional attitudes and depressive symptoms compared with those without SI. Childhood trauma, psychoticism, neuroticism, extroversion and dysfunctional attitudes affected SI through chain mediation. In addition, depressive symptoms, psychoticism, neuroticism and extroversion directly affected SI. LimitationsThe convenience sampling method may limit the generalizability of the findings. Results may be biased due to the self-report nature of the data collection procedure, the number of research subjects and differences in suicide risk assessment. The cross-sectional study cannot be used to infer causality. ConclusionsThe factors of childhood trauma, personality and dysfunctional attitudes affect SI through chain mediation. In addition, depressive symptoms and personality independently predict the occurrence of SI.

Role of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness and psychological distress in the association between adverse childhood experiences and suicidal ideation in college students.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have a detrimental impact on short- and long-term mental and physical health. A growing body of research has indicated that the prevalence of suicidal phenomena is significantly higher among individuals with a history of ACEs. However, there is a lack of understanding about processes that result in ACEs leading to suicidal ideation when testing within a theoretical framework. To develop and test a multidimensional model that would explain the association between ACEs and suicidal ideation in college students. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey completed by 321 college students primarily recruited from universities in Ireland. Participants were aged 18-21 (n = 176) and 22-25 years (n = 145). An ACEs questionnaire, the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, which assessed thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness, the CORE-10, which assessed psychological distress, and the Suicide Ideation Scale (SIS) were administered. After controlling for gender and sexual orientation, results revealed a significant direct effect of ACEs on suicidal ideation such that more accumulated ACEs were associated with higher suicidal ideation (effect size 0.30; 95% CI 0.047-0.538). A significant indirect effect of ACEs on suicidal ideation through perceived burdensomeness and psychological distress, and thwarted belongingness and psychological distress, was observed (effect size 0.90; 95% CI 0.558-1.270). Findings suggest that ACEs have a detrimental impact on college students' mental health. Results highlight the potential benefits of ACE-informed interventions that target thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness to countervail suicidal ideation in college students.

Negative life events increase the risk of suicidal ideation in 6653 Chinese freshmen: From a 1-year longitudinal study

BackgroundSuicide is one of the leading causes of juvenile death. Suicidal ideation (SI) is a strong predictor of suicide, while negative life events are associated with SI in adolescents. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of negative life events on SI in a sample of Chinese freshmen. MethodsThe current study employed a cluster sampling method with 7118 freshmen at baseline and 6653 at follow-up. Negative life events were assessed by using the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Check List (ASLEC), and SI was assessed by a separate question for self-report. The PHQ-9 was used to measure depression at baseline. ResultsThe incidence of suicidal ideation was 1.52% (95% CI: 1.22%-1.81%). Two dimensions of negative life events, interpersonal relationship and others were risk factors for SI, while female students were more susceptible to them. Consistently, interpersonal relationship and others were risk factors for SI in participants without depression and with mild depression. However, health & adaptation was found to be the only dimension of negative life events contributing to the risk of SI in participants with moderate, severe and extremely severe depression. LimitationsThere may be recall bias in this study. ConclusionsNegative life events increase the risk of SI in college students. Female students are more susceptible to negative life events. The effect of different dimensions of negative life events on SI varies in participants with and without depression.