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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

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23-08-2021 | Suicide | Original Paper

Childhood adversities and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among first-year college students: results from the WMH-ICS initiative

Authors: Philippe Mortier, Jordi Alonso, Randy P. Auerbach, Jason Bantjes, Corina Benjet, Ronny Bruffaerts, Pim Cuijpers, David D. Ebert, Jennifer Greif Green, Penelope Hasking, Eirini Karyotaki, Glenn Kiekens, Arthur Mak, Matthew K. Nock, Siobhan O’Neill, Stephanie Pinder-Amaker, Nancy A. Sampson, Dan J. Stein, Gemma Vilagut, Chelsey Wilks, Alan M. Zaslavsky, Patrick Mair, Ronald C. Kessler, the WHO WMH-ICS Collaborators

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 8/2022

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the associations of childhood adversities (CAs) with lifetime onset and transitions across suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) among incoming college students.

Methods

Web-based self-report surveys administered to 20,842 incoming college students from nine countries (response rate 45.6%) assessed lifetime suicidal ideation, plans and attempts along with seven CAs: parental psychopathology, three types of abuse (emotional, physical, sexual), neglect, bully victimization, and dating violence. Logistic regression estimated individual- and population-level associations using CA operationalizations for type, number, severity, and frequency.

Results

Associations of CAs with lifetime ideation and the transition from ideation to plan were best explained by the exact number of CA types (OR range 1.32–52.30 for exactly two to seven CAs). Associations of CAs with a transition to attempts were best explained by the frequency of specific CA types (scaled 0–4). Attempts among ideators with a plan were significantly associated with all seven CAs (OR range 1.16–1.59) and associations remained significant in adjusted analyses with the frequency of sexual abuse (OR = 1.42), dating violence (OR = 1.29), physical abuse (OR = 1.17) and bully victimization (OR = 1.17). Attempts among ideators without plan were significantly associated with frequency of emotional abuse (OR = 1.29) and bully victimization (OR = 1.36), in both unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Population attributable risk simulations found 63% of ideation and 30–47% of STB transitions associated with CAs.

Conclusion

Early-life adversities represent a potentially important driver in explaining lifetime STB among incoming college students. Comprehensive intervention strategies that prevent or reduce the negative effects of CAs may reduce subsequent onset of STB.

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Title: Childhood adversities and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among first-year college students: results from the WMH-ICS initiative
Authors: Philippe Mortier
Jordi Alonso
Randy P. Auerbach
Jason Bantjes
Corina Benjet
Ronny Bruffaerts
Pim Cuijpers
David D. Ebert
Jennifer Greif Green
Penelope Hasking
Eirini Karyotaki
Glenn Kiekens
Arthur Mak
Matthew K. Nock
Siobhan O’Neill
Stephanie Pinder-Amaker
Nancy A. Sampson
Dan J. Stein
Gemma Vilagut
Chelsey Wilks
Alan M. Zaslavsky
Patrick Mair
Ronald C. Kessler
the WHO WMH-ICS Collaborators
Publication date: 23-08-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Suicide
Suicide
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 8/2022
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-021-02151-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Childhood adversities and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among first-year college students: results from the WMH-ICS initiative

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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