The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours among college students: a meta-analysis

Mortier, Philippe; Cuijpers, Pim; Kiekens, Glenn; Auerbach, Randy P.; Demyttenaere, Koen; Green, Jennifer; Kessler, RC; Nock, Matthew K.; Bruffærts, Ronny

doi:10.1017/s0033291717002215

Cited by 354 publications

(273 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…In countries with marked differences in culture, language, and level of socioeconomic development, lifetime prevalence of STB among college entrants is 7.2%, and 12-month prevalence of STB in college is 1.9%. Surprisingly, these prevalence rates are three to six times lower than the lifetime and 12-month prevalence in a recent meta-analysis of 36 college student probability samples worldwide [3]. Methodological issues may explain these conflicting results.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…Second, the majority of studies on this topic rely on single-item STB assessments, which often lead to false-positive STB cases [9]; yet, the current study utilized a well-validated clinical interview to assess STB. Third, the majority of previous studies come from the United States [3], where STB prevalence has found to be high [10], whereas the current study presents a well-balanced sample of college students worldwide.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In studies with low response rates, there is a tendency to overestimate STB prevalence. This can be explained by differences in sample gender composition according to participation rate which were not accounted for by nonresponse adjustment weighting procedures [3]. An alternative explanation is that individuals with vested topic interest (i.e., students with a history of STB) may be more inclined to complete the survey [8].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…College surveys suggest that relatively high proportions of students have lifetime and 12-month suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) [3]. The majority of prior research on STB among college students, however, has been limited by low response rates and confined to a small number of (mostly high-income) countries, limiting generalizability of findings [3]. Further, a direct comparison of college student STB prevalence with same-aged peers not in college is restricted to one study from the U.S. [4]; yet, this study did not compare students with attriters (i.e., college dropouts) nor did the results differentiate between pre- and post-matriculation onset STB.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Suicidal thoughts and behaviors among college students and same-aged peers: results from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys

Mortier

Auerbach

Alonso

et al. 2018

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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PURPOSE The primary aims are to (1) obtain representative prevalence estimates of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) among college students worldwide and (2) investigate whether STB is related to matriculation to and attrition from college. METHODS Data from the WHO World Mental Health Surveys were analyzed, which include face-to-face interviews with 5,750 young adults aged 18–22 spanning 21 countries (weighted mean response rate = 71.4%). Standardized STB prevalence estimates were calculated for four well-defined groups of same-aged peers: college students, college attriters (i.e., dropouts), secondary school graduates who never entered college, and secondary school non-graduates. Logistic regression assessed the association between STB and college entrance as well as attrition from college. RESULTS Twelve-month STB in college students was 1.9%, a rate significantly lower than same-aged peers not in college (3.4%; OR=0.5; p<0.01). Lifetime prevalence of STB with onset prior to age 18 among college entrants (i.e., college students or attriters) was 7.2%, a rate significantly lower than among non-college attenders (i.e., secondary school graduates or non-graduates; 8.2%; OR=0.7; p=0.03). Pre-matriculation onset STB (but not post-matriculation onset STB) increased the odds of college attrition (OR=1.7; p<0.01). CONCLUSION STB with onset prior to age 18 is associated with reduced likelihood of college entrance as well as greater attrition from college. Future prospective research should investigate the causality of these associations and determine whether targeting onset and persistence of childhood-adolescent onset STB leads to improved educational attainment.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Suicidal thoughts and behaviors among college students and same-aged peers: results from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys

Mortier

Auerbach

Alonso

et al. 2018

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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The moderating role of pessimism in the association between retrospective relational peer victimization, interpersonal risk factors, and suicide ideation

Rosa

Brown

Mitchell

et al. 2021

Aggressive Behavior

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Peer victimization (PV) is a serious concern for youth and is associated with subsequent suicide ideation in young adulthood. The interpersonal theory of suicide may provide a framework for understanding suicide ideation in this population. Specifically, thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB) have been significantly associated with suicide ideation among young adults with a history of peer victimization. Additionally, the personality trait of pessimism is associated with elevated suicide ideation. Thus, this study tested the association between selfreported frequency of retrospective relational (i.e., verbal and indirect) PV in primary and secondary school, thwarted interpersonal needs (TB and PB), and current suicide ideation, as well as how these relations may vary based on current pessimism.Participants were 330 undergraduate students. Nonparametric bootstrap moderated mediation procedures were used to test hypotheses. Results indicated significant indirect effects of frequency of retrospective relational PV and suicide ideation through PB and TB. Contrary to predictions, results did not indicate significant moderated mediation; however, the association between PB and suicide ideation was stronger at lower pessimism levels. We also provide supplemental analysis with optimism as the moderator. These findings suggest that clinicians may consider targeting TB, PB, as well as pessimism and optimism among those with a history of relational PV when assessing and intervening on current suicide ideation. Implications, limitations, and future directions are further discussed.

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Suicide‐related interpersonal needs of young Iranian people: A preliminary validation of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness constructs

Amini-Tehrani

Sadeghi

Nasiri

et al. 2020

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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The aim of the current study was to validate the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ‐15) and to test its reliability in Persian‐speaking Iranian undergraduate students. In this cross‐sectional study, 485 undergraduate students (age: 20.66 ± 1.42, 60% female) were assessed on the two subscales of perceived burdensomeness (PB) and thwarted belongingness (TB) and the Suicide Behavior Questionnaire‐Revised (SBQ‐R). Exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) confirmed the construct validity of INQ‐14, excluding INQ#9. In addition, INQ#8, articulated in an equivalent Persian phrasing, loaded well on TB. The measurement model tested by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) suggested INQ#11 to be eliminated, resulting in INQ‐13‐P to consist of PB and TB‐7. The internal consistency and convergent/discriminant validity were established. The concurrent validity of PB was solidly established in terms of past year suicidal ideation (PY‐SI) above and beyond anxiety, depression, prior suicidality, and TB‐7. The effect of PB on PY‐SI was stronger, where prior suicidality had already occurred or the perceived likelihood of future suicide (PLFS) was high. Moreover, TB‐7 could only indicate PY‐SI, where prior suicidality had already occurred or PLFS was high, albeit when PB was omitted. The interaction term was significant; however, beyond anxiety and depression, the effect of TB‐7 on PY‐SI was significant where PB was very high (n = 40, 8.25%). Therefore, future studies can utilize INQ‐13‐P as a valid and reliable instrument in Persian‐speaking populations. However, further studies should examine the construct validity of TB and its relationship with suicide ideation in different populations.

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The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours among college students: a meta-analysis

Abstract: Based on the currently available evidence, STB seem to be common among college students. Future studies should: (1) incorporate refusal conversion strategies to obtain adequate response rates, and (2) use more fine-grained measures to assess suicidal ideation.

Cited by 354 publications

References 79 publications

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors among college students and same-aged peers: results from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors among college students and same-aged peers: results from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Surveys

The moderating role of pessimism in the association between retrospective relational peer victimization, interpersonal risk factors, and suicide ideation

Suicide‐related interpersonal needs of young Iranian people: A preliminary validation of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness constructs

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