Suicidal Behavior in Graduate Students in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic: Scoping Review

Abstract

Background. Graduate students experienced mental distress during the pandemic. This was perceived through the narration of students’ frustrations and the emergence of new situations to which both students and advisors were forced to adapt. Objective. To map evidence of suicidal behavior in graduate students in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method. This is a scoping review. The eligibility criteria were: Participants—graduate students. Concept—suicidal behavior. Context—COVID-19 pandemic. The search strategy was applied to MEDLINE®/PubMed® and adapted for the following databases: EMBASE® (Elsevier), CINAHL®/EBSCO, LILACS®/BVS, PsycINFO®, and Web of Science. The review considered primary research studies with quantitative and qualitative designs. Although there were no language restrictions, there was a limit regarding the start of the new coronavirus in December 2019. Results. Eleven articles were included in the analysis of this review. It was found that the majority of studies were published in 2022. Master’s students were more frequently investigated for the presence of suicidal ideation, while doctoral students were studied for the presence of suicidal ideation, suicide plan, suicide attempt, and suicide. The presence of suicidal ideation ranged from 6.87% to 40%. The PHQ-9 questionnaire was the most commonly used instrument to assess suicidal ideation. Discussion and conclusion. The findings provide support for institutional strategies to prevent suicidal behavior in graduate students.