Correlation between Family Environment and Suicidal Ideation in University Students in China

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the association between suicidal ideation and family environment. The sample included 5183 Chinese university students. A number of studies on suicidal ideation have focused on individuals rather than families. This paper reviews the general principles of suicidal ideation and the consequences resulting from the family environment. Methods: This study used six different colleges as the dataset, which included 2645 males and 2538 females. Students were questioned with respect to social demographics and suicidal ideation factors. The data were analyzed with factor and logistic analyses to determine the association between suicidal ideation and poor family environment. Results: The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 9.2% (476/5183). Most participants with suicidal ideation had significant similarities: they had poor family structures and relationships, their parents had unstable work, and their parents used improper parenting styles. Female students were more likely to have suicidal thoughts than male students. Conclusions: This study shows that suicidal ideation is a public health issue among Chinese university students and demonstrates the importance of considering the family environment when examining university students’ suicidal ideation. Understanding family-related suicidal ideation risk factors can help to predict and prevent suicides among university students.

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“…In other words, the prevalence of suicide attempts in our study was higher compared to studies in Brazil 12.5%, 17 China 19%, 8 Morocco 6.5%, 30 and Australian (4.2%) 4 and American populations (4.1%). 31 The particularly high suicidal attempt observed in the current sample could partly be explained by the sample size and study design used.…”

“…In the current study, the odds of having suicide behavior in female respondents were higher compared to in male respondents, which is in agreement with the results of other published studies in different settings. 7,8,11,12 The discrepancy might be explained on the basis of gender role socialization theory, which states that females are expected to be dependent and indecisive, and express their stress via rumination, so females have a higher rate of suicide attempts than males. 32 A study conducted in one college in China indicated that practicing religion is a protective factor for suicidal behavior.…”

“…10,17 Two studies in China reported suicide among university students' accounts 10.72% 7 and 19%. 8 A study conducted in Iran confirmed 4.1% of 1517 students had thoughts of suicide. 15 In India, the lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation among university students is 11.7%, and in Pakistan, the overall rate of suicidal ideation is 31.4%.…”

“…7 Suicide is the leading cause of death among college and university students and it accounts for 19% of all deaths for this population. 8 Studies have confirmed that suicide ranks as the first or second leading cause of death among college and university students. [9][10][11] In general, the prevalence of suicidal behaviors among college students ranged from 1.3% to 32.7%.…”

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“…The rest (65%) had children who were being taken care of either by relatives or the partner who had divorced them. Research has suggested that social roles like that of taking care of the family are bound to employment or economic conditions [23].…”