The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours among college students: a meta-analysis.

Background: Adolescence and young adulthood carry risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB). An increasing subpopulation of young people consists of college students. STB prevalence estimates among college students vary widely, precluding a validated point of reference. In addition, little is...

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Published in:Psychological Medicine Vol. 48; no. 4; pp. 554 - 566
Main Authors: Mortier, P., Cuijpers, P., Kiekens, G., Auerbach, R. P., Demyttenaere, K., Green, J. G., Kessler, R. C., Nock, M. K., Bruffaerts, R.
Format: meta analysis research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Cambridge University Press Mar2018
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Mar2018
      vid: 48
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      pub: Cambridge University Press
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        atl: The prevalence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours among college students: a meta-analysis.
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        au:
          Mortier, P.
          Cuijpers, P.
          Kiekens, G.
          Auerbach, R. P.
          Demyttenaere, K.
          Green, J. G.
          Kessler, R. C.
          Nock, M. K.
          Bruffaerts, R.
        affil: Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven University, Leuven, Belgium
      sug:
        subj:
          Suicidal Ideation
          Students, College Psychosocial Factors
          Self-Injurious Behavior
          Meta Analysis
          Human
          Prevalence
          Multivariate Analysis
          Regression
          Confidence Intervals
          Sampling Error
          Sex Factors
          Male
          Female
          Odds Ratio
          Systematic Review
          Strategic Planning
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: Adolescence and young adulthood carry risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviours (STB). An increasing subpopulation of young people consists of college students. STB prevalence estimates among college students vary widely, precluding a validated point of reference. In addition, little is known on predictors for between-study heterogeneity in STB prevalence. Methods: A systematic literature search identified 36 college student samples that were assessed for STB outcomes, representing a total of 634 662 students [median sample size = 2082 (IQR 353-5200); median response rate = 74% (IQR 37-89%)]. We used random-effects meta-analyses to obtain pooled STB prevalence estimates, and multivariate metaregression models to identify predictors of between-study heterogeneity. Results: Pooled prevalence estimates of lifetime suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts were 22.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 19.5-25.3%], 6.1% (95% CI 4.8-7.7%), and 3.2% (95% CI 2.2-4.5%), respectively. For 12-month prevalence, this was 10.6% (95% CI 9.1-12.3%), 3.0% (95% CI 2.1-4.0%), and 1.2% (95% CI 0.8-1.6%), respectively. Measures of heterogeneity were high for all outcomes (I2 = 93.2-99.9%), indicating substantial between-study heterogeneity not due to sampling error. Pooled estimates were generally higher for females, as compared with males (risk ratios in the range 1.12-1.67). Higher STB estimates were also found in samples with lower response rates, when using broad definitions of suicidality, and in samples from Asia. Conclusions: Based on the currently available evidence, STB seem to be common among college students. Future studies should: (1) incorporate refusal conversion strategies to obtain adequate response rates, and (2) use more fine-grained measures to assess suicidal ideation.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        meta analysis
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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