Suicidal Behaviors Among Ukrainian College Students: the Role of Substance Use, Religion, and Depression

Abstract

Early adulthood is a critical life period associated with increased suicide risk. The present study used a sample of students from ten Ukrainian public universities (N = 1005). Participants were 17 to 24 years of age (M = 19.19, SD = 1.99). The prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation was 26.13% and 5.45% of participants reported a lifetime suicide attempt. Participants were more likely to report higher lifetime suicidal ideation if they had higher rates of alcohol and marijuana use, have met a clinical cutoff point for depression and were older, females, and not affiliated with any religion. The lifetime suicide attempt was associated with clinical levels of depression, increased marijuana use, and non-religious affiliation. These results suggest that mental health, alcohol and cannabis use can increase the risk of suicidality while religious affiliation might be an important protective mechanism for Ukrainian young adults at risk for suicidal behaviors.

Religious affiliation and suicidality among college students in China: A cross-sectional study across six provinces

“…Specifically, being of the Christian faith appeared to be associated with increased suicidality, suicide risk, and suicide attempt. These results are not consistent with past findings among college students in Western countries, where affiliation to Catholic and Protestant Christianity was protective against suicidality [ 14 ], and those who professed a religious affiliation were less likely to have attempted suicide [ 15 ]. Compared to other religions, being of Christian faith appeared to be associated with higher levels of hopelessness, psychache, and depression, as well as lower levels of self-esteem, social support, and purpose in life, all of which are known risk and protective factors for suicidality.…”

“…However, the no-religion group had a larger proportion of individuals who had attempted suicide [ 14 ]. Among Ukrainian college students, those with a religious affiliation had a lower likelihood of reporting lifetime suicide attempts compared to individuals with no religion [ 15 ]. In terms of inter-religion differences, a large-scale study on LGBQ university students found that Jewish-affiliated participants were less likely to report lifetime suicidal ideation, but non-religious participants were more likely to wish they were dead compared to Christian LGBQ participants [ 16 ].…”

Perceptions of Security, Life Satisfaction and Expectations Among Adolescents in Ukraine Based on the Results of Research Study «characteristics of Alcohol and Other Drug Use Among Youth in Ukraine»

“…Previous investigations of the psychopathological state of adolescents in Ukraine found correlation between socioeconomic and psychological characteristics [6,7]. Teens of Ukraine are predisposed to increased risk of anxiety disorders development due to the difficult period of economic and political instability, and military actions in Ukraine since 2013.…”

“…The study aims to evaluate adolescents' perceptions of psychological and social aspects of life.Background. Psychological, psychiatric, and social studies show the important role of timely psychosocial evaluation to recognize, predict and prevent psychopathological disorders among adolescents [1 -5].Previous investigations of the psychopathological state of adolescents in Ukraine found correlation between socioeconomic and psychological characteristics [6,7]. Teens of Ukraine are predisposed to increased risk of anxiety disorders development due to the difficult period of economic and political instability, and military actions in Ukraine since 2013.This study explores psychological, social aspects of adolescents to assess psychopathological disorders, their development and relationships with social and economic (including living under the stress due to unstable military circumstances) characteristics of teens in Ukraine.…”

“…3. Perceptions of security, life satisfaction and expectations included questions regarding level of satisfaction with life, security, household income, personal income, education, health, dwelling have been used from Conflict and Violence Micro-Level Surveys [8].…”