The relationship between Korean university students’ suicidal ideation and risk factors: a meta-analysis

Abstract

This study examines risk factors for university students' suicidal ideation based on a meta-analysis of research published in South Korea from 2004 to 2019. Risk factors included depression, life stress, parents' critical communication, and job stress. Publication bias and study-specific moderator variables were also examined. Depression had the largest effect size, followed by life stress, parents' critical communication, and job stress. Meta-regression analysis showed differences in the effect sizes for depression, parents' critical communication, and job stress according to publication year. The probability of publication bias was low. These findings can help to develop effective suicidal ideation prevention programs for university students. In particular, counselling centres should help intensively prevent and manage depression among university students. Furthermore, mental health services, such as education and counselling programs that address suicidal ideation, must be easily accessible by integrating the students' homes, schools, and communities.

PhD Supervision, and its influence on mental health

“…As specific cases, the UK reports high rates of student suicide, with 1 university student taking their own life every 4 days in 2017 4 , 1 every 3.8 days in 2018 5 , and 1 every 2.09 days in England and Wales in 2019 6 . Similar reports are raised in countries such as the US 7 , China 8 , Japan 9 and Korea 10 , and depression and anxiety are confirmed as highly prevalent among PhD students on an international basis 11…”

– The Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences 2024 Official Conference Proceedings

“…In addition, high schools often have organically linked systems between schools, homes, and communities for mental health services. However, this system becomes disconnected once a student enters college increasing their risk for mental health disorders which may exacerbate a number of risk factors for depression (Han & Lee, 2021). Among school-based risk factors, stress related to employment stands out prominently (Han & Lee 2021;Kim et al, 2022).…”

“…However, this system becomes disconnected once a student enters college increasing their risk for mental health disorders which may exacerbate a number of risk factors for depression (Han & Lee, 2021). Among school-based risk factors, stress related to employment stands out prominently (Han & Lee 2021;Kim et al, 2022). Several contributing reasons include high unemployment, a competitive job market, and economic polarization (Han & Lee, 2021).…”

“…Among school-based risk factors, stress related to employment stands out prominently (Han & Lee 2021;Kim et al, 2022). Several contributing reasons include high unemployment, a competitive job market, and economic polarization (Han & Lee, 2021). Having invested in their education, Korean students fear that they will not be able to find quality employment.…”

“…These factors can reduce an individual's self-efficacy. Having low self-efficacy can further increase the risk of depression by creating self-doubt about one's ability to cope with daily stress (Han & Lee, 2021;Nam & Lee, 2015). Individuals with negative views of mental health services are also less likely to seek them out.…”