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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Study protocol

Predictive models for suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Spanish University students: rationale and methods of the UNIVERSAL (University & mental health) project

Authors: Maria Jesús Blasco, Pere Castellví, José Almenara, Carolina Lagares, Miquel Roca, Albert Sesé, José Antonio Piqueras, Victoria Soto-Sanz, Jesús Rodríguez-Marín, Enrique Echeburúa, Andrea Gabilondo, Ana Isabel Cebrià, Andrea Miranda-Mendizábal, Gemma Vilagut, Ronny Bruffaerts, Randy P. Auerbach, Ronald C. Kessler, Jordi Alonso, on behalf of the UNIVERSAL study group.

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Suicide is a leading cause of death among young people. While suicide prevention is considered a research and intervention priority, longitudinal data is needed to identify risk and protective factors associate with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Here we describe the UNIVERSAL (University and Mental Health) project which aims are to: (1) test prevalence and 36-month incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors; and (2) identify relevant risk and protective factors associated with the incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors among university students in Spain.

Methods

An ongoing multicenter, observational, prospective cohort study of first year university students in 5 Spanish universities. Students will be assessed annually during a 36 month follow-up. The surveys will be administered through an online, secure web-based platform. A clinical reappraisal will be completed among a subsample of respondents. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors will be assess with the Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Interview (SITBI) and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Risk and protective factors will include: mental disorders, measured with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 3.0 (CIDI 3.0) and Screening Scales (CIDI-SC), and the Epi-Q Screening Survey (EPI-Q-SS), socio-demographic variables, self-perceived health status, health behaviors, well-being, substance use disorders, service use and treatment. The UNIVERSAL project is part of the International College Surveys initiative, which is a core project within the World Mental Health consortium. Lifetime and the 12-month prevalence will be calculated for suicide ideation, plans and attempts. Cumulative incidence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and mental disorders will be measured using the actuarial method. Risk and protective factors of suicidal thoughts and behaviors will be analyzed by Cox proportional hazard models.

Discussion

The study will provide valid, innovative and useful data for developing prevention programs for youth suicide and for improving early identification for high-risk students. The longitudinal design of this study will improve causal interpretation of analyzed associations, needed for generating and validating predictive models. It will represent the first results about suicidal thoughts and behaviors in the Spanish university population. The World Mental Health Survey collaboration will permit accurate cross-national comparisons.
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Metadata
Title
Predictive models for suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Spanish University students: rationale and methods of the UNIVERSAL (University & mental health) project
Authors
Maria Jesús Blasco
Pere Castellví
José Almenara
Carolina Lagares
Miquel Roca
Albert Sesé
José Antonio Piqueras
Victoria Soto-Sanz
Jesús Rodríguez-Marín
Enrique Echeburúa
Andrea Gabilondo
Ana Isabel Cebrià
Andrea Miranda-Mendizábal
Gemma Vilagut
Ronny Bruffaerts
Randy P. Auerbach
Ronald C. Kessler
Jordi Alonso
on behalf of the UNIVERSAL study group.
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-016-0820-y

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