Association Between Hopelessness And Suicidal Ideation In Iranian Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background and ObjectivesThere are limited studies regarding suicidal ideation among Iranian medical students. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and its association with hopelessness among Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) medical students. MethodsWe designed a cross-sectional study conducted in TUMS in 2018. We developed a questionnaire consisting of three parts; the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), four questions regarding suicidal ideation, and questions regarding demographic characteristics. We used the available sampling technique and sent the questionnaire to 517 medical students of TUMS. ResultsIn total, 224 medical students completed and sent back the questionnaire (response rate=43.32%). Participants' mean age was 22.68 (SD=3.38) years, and 140 participants (62.5%) were female. One hundred seven students (47.76%) had mild, 58 (25.89%) had moderate, and 13 (5.8%) had severe hopelessness. Males, senior students, and dissatisfied students with their academic performance experienced more severe hopelessness (P<0.05). Thirty-six participants (16.07%) had suicidal ideation. After adjusting for age, gender, marital status, and student's satisfaction with their academic performance, BHS total score was independently associated with suicidal ideation (OR=1.29, 95% CI=1.14-1.46, P<0.0001) ConclusionThe prevalence of suicidal ideation and hopelessness is relatively high among Iranian medical students. Students with more severe hopelessness are at higher risk of suicidal ideation, and evaluating hopelessness among medical students can be used to screen medical students at risk of suicidal ideation.

Prevalence and predictors of suicidality among nursing students in Indonesia

“…It is well established that hopelessness is one of the strongest predictors of suicide, especially when accompanied by depression (Wolfe et al, 2019). Numerous studies have found that hopelessness is positively associated with suicidal ideation among different populations, such as adolescents (Wolfe et al, 2019), general university students (Chang, 2017), and medical students (Sadeghian et al, 2021;Tin et al, 2015). Moreover, a previous study has demonstrated that hopelessness is linked with suicidal intent and suicidal attempts (Klonsky et al, 2012).…”

“…Items with unfavorable statements (items 2, 5, 6, 8, 9) were scored as follows: 4 (strongly disagree), 3 (disagree), 2 (agree), 1 (strongly agree) (García et al, 2019). The RSES has a total score between 10-40, based on which, self-esteem can be categorized into 3 levels: low (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), moderate (26)(27)(28)(29), and high (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40) self-esteem (García et al, 2019). The Indonesian version of the RSES has been validated in a previous study and has high internal reliability -as indicated by Cronbach's α = 0.875 (Kaloeti and Ardhiani, 2020).…”

“…The UCLA-3 has a total score of between 20-80, and higher scores indicate a higher loneliness intensity. Based on the UCLA-3 total score, loneliness severity can be categorized into 3 levels: low (<28), moderate (28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43), and high (>43) (Lee and You, 2020). The Indonesian version of this instrument has been validated in a previous study and its Cronbach's α = 0.81, indicating high internal reliability (Liem et al, 2022).…”

Оценка Адаптационных Возможностей Больных Шизофренией В Зависимости От Уровня Безнадежности Как Предиктора Суицидального Риска

“…Обследуемые пациенты были разделены на две группы в зависимости от выявленного уровня безнадежности: 1-я группа -пациенты с отсутствием чувства безнадежности и низким уровнем безнадежности (n=89; 76,7%), 2-я группа -со средним и высоким уровнями безнадежности (n=27 -23,3%). Данное разделение обусловлено тем, что суицидальная идеация чаще встречается у лиц со средним и высоким уровнями безнадежности, чем у лиц без выявленной безнадежности или с низким уровнем безнадежности [20].…”

A unidimensional short form of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS-7) derived using item response theory

“…These researchers 9 reported that people who had attempted suicide in the year prior to the study had higher scores for hopelessness than those with a prior history of suicide attempts. A cross-sectional study assessing hopelessness and suicidal ideation among Iranian medical students 6 found that after adjusting for demographic variables (e.g., age, gender, and marital status), hopelessness was independently associated with suicidal ideation. A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies 10 investigating depression and hopelessness as predictors of suicidal ideation, attempts, and completion concluded that hopelessness was the strongest predictor of each of these factors.…”