Suicidal ideation among college students in the United States.

Abstract

This study analyzed data from the 1995 National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS) to assess the prevalence of suicidal ideation among college students in the United States and to examine the association between suicidal ideation and substance use in this population. The NCHRBS used a mail questionnaire to assess health-risk behaviors in a nationally representative sample of undergraduate students. During the 12 months preceding the survey, 10% of the students had seriously considered attempting suicide. When controlling for demographic characteristics, the analysis showed that students who had considered suicide were at increased odds of using tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. These results suggest that colleges and universities should establish suicide prevention programs that also address the related problem of substance use.

Suicide Risk in College Students: The Effects of Internet Addiction and Drug Use

“…Due to drug use, young people have troubles in many areas and sever almost all ties with normal life. Our research results are consistent with those of previous studies (Brener et al, 1999;Borowsky et al, 2001;Field et al, 2001;Hallfors et al, 2004;Morris et al, 1995;Karamustafaoğlu et al, 2010;Remafedi et al, 1991;Shamsian, 2001;Wichstrom, 2000;Yalçın et al, 2009). Another significant finding is that Internet addiction significantly predicts the suicide risk of college students.…”

“…Alcohol abuse is also a predictor of suicide ideation in college students. A study by Brener, Hassan, and Barrios (1999) concludes that a relationship exists between drug use and suicide ideation in college students. Another study concludes that drug use in youth leads to increased suicidal ideation and behaviors (Felts, Chernier, & Barnes, 1992).…”

Risk and Protective Factors Associated With Asian American Students' Suicidal Ideation: A Multicampus, National Study

“…We focused on indicators of belongingness because a sense of belongingness has been identified as a key factor in the adjustment of college students (see Lee & Davis, 2000, for a review). Brener et al (1999) found that among college students, being a member of a fraternity or sorority and living with a spouse or domestic partner reduced the odds of seriously considering attempting suicide. Living with a family member or partner might be a particularly salient protective factor for Asian American college students because family relationships and group orientation are important values in many collectivistic Asian cultures (Leong, Leach et al, 2007).…”

“…There is mounting evidence for the link between substance use and suicidal behavior (Westefeld et al, 2000). Specifically, tobacco and alcohol use have been found to be significant predictors of suicidal ideation among college students (Brener et al, 1999;Kisch et al, 2005). Substance use may foster suicidal behavior by enhancing impulsivity, reducing coping mechanisms, and impairing judgment (Brener et al, 1999;Westefeld et al, 2000) .…”

“…Specifically, tobacco and alcohol use have been found to be significant predictors of suicidal ideation among college students (Brener et al, 1999;Kisch et al, 2005). Substance use may foster suicidal behavior by enhancing impulsivity, reducing coping mechanisms, and impairing judgment (Brener et al, 1999;Westefeld et al, 2000) . We hypothesized that Asian American college students' use of tobacco and binge drinking would be related to an increased probability of suicidal ideation.…”