• Philippe Mortier, Randy P Auerbach, Jordi Alonso, Jason Bantjes, Corina Benjet, Pim Cuijpers, David D Ebert, Jennifer Greif Green, Penelope Hasking, Matthew K Nock, Siobhan O'Neill, Stephanie Pinder-Amaker, Nancy A Sampson, Gemma Vilagut, Alan M Zaslavsky, Ronny Bruffaerts, Ronald C Kessler, and WHO WMH-ICS Collaborators.
• Research Group Psychiatry, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: philippe.mortier@upckuleuven.be.
• J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2018 Apr 1; 57 (4): 263-273.e1.

ObjectiveCollege entrance may be a strategically well-placed "point of capture" for detecting late adolescents with suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB). However, a clear epidemiological picture of STB among incoming college students is lacking. We present the first cross-national data on prevalence as well as socio-demographic and college-related correlates for STB among first-year college students.MethodWeb-based self-report surveys were obtained from 13,984 first-year students (response rate 45.5%) across 19 colleges in 8 countries (Australia, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Spain, and the United States).ResultsLifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts was 32.7%, 17.5%, and 4.3%, respectively. The 12-month prevalence was 17.2%, 8.8%, and 1.0%, respectively. About three-fourths of STB cases had onset before the age of 16 years (Q3 = 15.8), with persistence figures in the range of 41% to 53%. About one-half (53.4%) of lifetime ideators transitioned to a suicide plan; 22.1% of lifetime planners transitioned to an attempt. Attempts among lifetime ideators without plan were less frequent (3.1%). Significant correlates of lifetime STB were cross-nationally consistent and generally modest in effect size (median adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.7). Nonheterosexual orientation (aOR range 3.3-7.9) and heterosexual orientation with some same-sex attraction (aOR range 1.9-2.3) were the strongest correlates of STB, and of transitioning from ideation to plans and/or attempts (aOR range 1.6-6.1).ConclusionThe distribution of STB in first-year students is widespread, and relatively independent of socio-demographic risk profile. Multivariate risk algorithms based on a high number of risk factors are indicated to efficiently link high-risk status with effective preventive interventions.Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

18 keywords...

hide…