Umair Akram1, Antonia Ypsilanti2, Maria Gardani3, Kamila Irvine4, Sarah Allen5, Asha Akram6, Jennifer Drabble2, Eleanor Bickle2, Lauren Kaye2, Damian Lipinski2, Eva Matuszyk2, Helia Sarlak2, Ellie Steedman2, Lambros Lazuras2. 1. Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK; Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, UK. Electronic address: umair.akram@ndcn.ox.ac.uk. 2. Department of Psychology, Sociology and Politics, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK. 3. Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, UK. 4. School of Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK; School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, UK. 5. School of Social Sciences, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, UK. 6. Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Evidence highlights increased susceptibility to thoughts and behaviors related to suicide (i.e. suicidal ideation) in the student population, often in co-occurrence with mental health difficulties. Typically, studies focus on specific symptoms, with few providing comprehensive examination of risk factors. In this study we examined the prevalence of suicidal ideation among UK university students and assessed the association with multiple psychiatric risk factors. METHODS: A total of N = 1273 students completed online measures of suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, insomnia, mania, psychosis, and perceived stress. RESULTS: 37.3% students were classified as high-risk for suicidal behaviour. Moreover, 42.2% of students contemplated suicide at least once within the past twelve months, and 25.1% reported telling someone about these thoughts at least once. Logistic regression analysis showed that suicidal ideation was significantly associated with symptoms of depression, mania, psychosis, and stress. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional nature of ours study does not allow us to infer causality in the observed associations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the prevalence of suicidal ideation in a large sample of university students in the UK, and highlight associated mental health risk factors associated with it. Our findings have implications for mental health practitioners working with University students.
BACKGROUND: Evidence highlights increased susceptibility to thoughts and behaviors related to suicide (i.e. suicidal ideation) in the student population, often in co-occurrence with mental health difficulties. Typically, studies focus on specific symptoms, with few providing comprehensive examination of risk factors. In this study we examined the prevalence of suicidal ideation among UK university students and assessed the association with multiple psychiatric risk factors. METHODS: A total of N = 1273 students completed online measures of suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, insomnia, mania, psychosis, and perceived stress. RESULTS: 37.3% students were classified as high-risk for suicidal behaviour. Moreover, 42.2% of students contemplated suicide at least once within the past twelve months, and 25.1% reported telling someone about these thoughts at least once. Logistic regression analysis showed that suicidal ideation was significantly associated with symptoms of depression, mania, psychosis, and stress. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional nature of ours study does not allow us to infer causality in the observed associations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the prevalence of suicidal ideation in a large sample of university students in the UK, and highlight associated mental health risk factors associated with it. Our findings have implications for mental health practitioners working with University students.
Authors: Tore Bonsaksen; Laila Skogstad; Trond Heir; Øivind Ekeberg; Inger Schou-Bredal; Tine K Grimholt Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-13 Impact factor: 3.390