Associations between impulsivity, aggression, and suicide in Chinese college students

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough there are accumulating data regarding the epidemiology of suicide in China, there are meager data on suicidal ideation and attempts among college students. Interestingly, elevated impulsivity is thought to facilitate the transition from suicidal thoughts to suicidal behavior. Therefore, the objective of this research was to identify the associations between suicide and the personality factors of impulsivity and aggression.MethodsThis study’s sampling method employed stratified random cluster sampling. A multi-stage stratified sampling procedure was used to select participants (n = 5,245). We conducted structured interviews regarding a range of socio-demographic characteristics and suicidal morbidity. The Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ-9) was used to acquire the information about thoughts of being better off dead or hurting themselves in some ways during the past two weeks. The impulsivity symptoms in this study were assessed with the BIS-11-CH (i.e., the Chinese version of the BIS-11), and the Aggressive symptoms were assessed with the BAQ. The statistical package for social science (SPSS) v.13.0 program (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis. Socio-demographic variables such as ethnic and gender were compared between groups, through the use of χ2 tests. The nonparametric test (k Independent Sample test, Kruskal-Wallis H) was performed to determine differences between the personality factors of impulsivity and aggression and suicide.ResultsIn total, 9.1% (n = 479) of the 5,245 students reported they have ever thought about committing suicide; and 1% (n = 51) reported a history of attempted suicide (attempters). The analyses detected significant differences in scores on cognitive impulsivity (p < 0.01), when comparing individuals who only had suicidal ideation and individuals who had attempted suicide. Moreover, significant differences were found between ideators only and attempters on scores of self-oriented attack (p < .001).ConclusionsSuicidal ideation is prevalent among Chinese university students. Students with high aggression scores were more susceptible to committing suicide. Scores on self-oriented attack and cognitive impulsivity may be important factors for differentially predicting suicide ideation and suicide attempts.

Low digit ratio (2D:4D) in male suicide victims

“…Different socioeconomic (e.g., family income and family structure), psychological (e.g., gender roles and behavioral traits), and biological [e.g., genetics and epigenetics (Labonte and Turecki 2010)] factors account for this sex paradox of suicidal behavior. In accordance with the hypothesis that the male traits of aggression and impulsivity facilitate suicidal behavior, these behaviors were reported to predict suicidal attempts and suicide completion (Klonsky and May 2010; Gvion and Apter 2011; Wang et al 2014; Chachamovich et al 2015). Prenatal exposure to androgens is a determinant of aggressive behavior in later life (Bailey and Hurd 2005; Joyce et al 2013; Kilduff et al 2013; but also see, for example, Voracek and Stieger 2009 for a contrary viewpoint).…”

Gestational length affects neurocognition in early-onset schizophrenia

“…People with psychosis are often met with stigma, pessimism and exclusion in society (van Os and Kapur, 2009), adding an extra burden to the illness that may affect both general symptoms and suicidality. Moreover, suicide attempts among patients with schizophrenia have been associated with impulsivity as measured by cognitive tests (Wang et al, 2014;Wu et al, 2009).…”

Gender commonalities and differences in risk and protective factors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A cross‐sectional study of Spanish university students

“…Mental disorders also increase distress (Eskin et al, ) and substantial impairment in academic performance (Auerbach et al, ). Childhood and adolescent adversities, bullying, stressful life experiences, and personal traits could also be related (Holt et al, ; Johnson et al, ; L. Wang et al, ; Werbart Törnblom, Werbart, & Rydelius, ). On the contrary, positive relationships with peers and family might be STB protective factors (Cash & Bridge, ; Thompson, Eggert, & Herting, ).…”