Suicidal Behaviors and Help‐Seeking Attitudes Among Deaf and Hard‐of‐Hearing College Students

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and help‐seeking attitudes among D/HH and hearing college students. Method A total of 500,860 students completed the ACHA‐NCHA‐IIb (Fall 2011‐Spring 2015). Survey administration and sampling methods differed across institutions. We randomly selected hearing students to have a 1:1 ratio of D/HH and hearing students (analytic N = 12,056). The mean age was 20.3 years, and the sample was predominantly white (68%) and female (65%). Multinomial and binary logistic regressions determined the relation between hearing status, suicide ideation and attempt, and help‐seeking. Results D/HH college students were more likely than hearing college students to have seriously considered suicide or attempted suicide in their lifetime. [Correction added on November 26, 2019, after first online publication: The phrase "but not in the past year" was deleted in the previous sentence.] In adjusted analyses, D/HH college students were more likely than hearing college students to have attempted suicide in the past year (OR 2.42, 95% CI 1.85, 3.17). There were no differences between D/HH and hearing groups in help‐seeking attitudes. Conclusions Findings from this national data set indicate that D/HH college students are more likely to consider or attempt suicide. These results underscore the need for focused suicide risk prevention interventions with this population.

Conceptual Model of Emergency Department Utilization among Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Patients: A Critical Review

“…Overall, the social determinants of health more likely to affect DHH people lead to social risk factors and social needs associated with health-compromising behavior. DHH people experience a variety of health inequities including reporting higher rates of substance use [ 23 , 74 ], worse mental health status and a higher likelihood of engaging in suicidal behavior [ 75 , 76 ], and greater health comorbidities [ 16 , 77 ]. There are also related disparities in socio-behavioral antecedents.…”

“…These inequities do not reflect a lack of interest in health education/promotion. For example, almost half of DHH college students are interested in suicide prevention information [ 75 ] and there has been an increase in community-engaged DHH health research nationwide [ 23 , 83 , 84 , 85 ]. A primary barrier to health-promoting behavior is the lack of accessibility of conventional health education/promotion materials [ 86 ] and usability of health content accessible in ASL [ 87 ].…”

Nationwide Analysis of Mortality Rates and Related Surgical Procedures in Hearing Disability Patients in South Korea

“…Not many literatures to date have studied suicide rates in deaf individuals. However, higher rates of suicide ideation and attempts were reported in deaf and hard-of-hearing college students [12]. Further studies on the issue may clarify the reason why mortality rates are higher in those with hearing disabilities.…”

Nursing Students Facilitating the Transition from Suicidal Ideation to Action in the Rural: A Qualitative Study

“…During the acute phase, it typically lasts barely minutes. 23 To intervene during a brief period of increased danger is a very brief window of opportunity, thus underlining the significance of safety measures in preventing suicide. 24 Intrapersonal elements that enhance and prevent ownership, two psychological states that contribute to suicidal ideation, played a role in the suicide attempts of most individuals, although not always simultaneously, and only in two instances did they contribute to the transition from concept to action.…”