Alcohol use and suicidal behavior among college students

Abstract

The central point of this article is to review the evidence supporting a correlation between suicidal behavior and alcohol abuse/dependence among college students. Suicidal behavior often occurs in alcohol-abusing individuals with a history of one or more additional psychiatric disorders. Individuals with prior episodes of major depression are presumed to be at a much greater risk of suicide. Theory suggests that individuals with antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder are more likely to attempt suicide than those without a personality disorder. Additionally, alcohol-dependent individuals show high rates of suicidal behavior, and an estimated 7% of alcoholics die by suicide. Therefore it is plausible to identify a clear relationship between alcohol misuse and suicide risk among adolescents and adults.

The relationship between personality disorder traits, emotional intelligence, and college adjustment

“…They were also related to high impulsivity. This is in line with the risky behavior, such as self-harm and substance use (Casillas & Clark, 2002;Manza, 2009), associated with the PDs subsumed in this cluster.…”

“…College students scoring higher on PD scales also demonstrate lower grades and class attendance (Bagge et al, 2004;King, 1998), a lower likelihood of graduating (Hunt, Eisenberg, & Kilbourne, 2010), and a greater likelihood of exhibiting school disengagement (Vaughn et al, 2011). In addition, college-aged individuals with PDs are at increased risk for behavioral problems such as substance use, aggression, suicidal ideation and attempts (Cawood & Huprich, 2011;Manza, 2009;Schmeelk, Sylvers, & Lilienfeld, 2008), and symptoms of anxiety and depression (Weikel, 2010). Most importantly, the negative effects of PD pathology persist after controlling for other diagnoses, suggesting it may be a primary cause of disability.…”

Risks & Challenges: Effectiveness Assessment of a Preventive Program on Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies amongst Students in Higher Education

“…Our results indicate that the program produces preventive effects for depression. This is a result of great importance because depression is associated with other risk behaviors, such as university drop-out (Broonen, Pireaux, & Walgraffe, 1994;Van Vracem & De Ketele, 1983) and suicide (Campos & Gonçalves, 2004;Galaif, Sussman, Newcomb & Locke, 2007;Manza, 2009;Vasquez & Blanco, 2008). In addition, the preventive effect on substance consumption is evident since depression is a strong risk factor for consumption (Galaif et al, 2007).…”

“…Data from an American study with this population (SAMHSA, 2003) demonstrated that adolescents with anxiety disorders or depression are more likely to develop substance abuse than others who do not present this sort of psychopathology. Additionally, Manza (2009) refers an association between the problematic use of alcohol and the risk of suicide among university students. These studies highlight the need to promote interventions oriented towards a positive adaptation to the academic context that are multidimensional and precocious (Santana & Negreiros, 2008).…”