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Citation
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Mortier P, Demyttenaere K, Auerbach RP, Green JG, Kessler RC, Kiekens G, Nock MK, Bruffaerts R. J. Affect. Disord. 2015; 186: 254-260. |
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Affiliation
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Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven University, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium. |
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: While suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) among college students are common, the associations between STB and academic performance are not well understood.
METHODS: As part of the World Mental Health Surveys International College Student project, web-based self-reported STB of KU Leuven (Leuven, Belgium) incoming freshmen (N=4921; response rate=65.4%) was collected, as well as academic year percentage (AYP), and the departments to which students belong. Single- and multilevel multivariate analyses were conducted, adjusted for gender, age, parental educational level, and comorbid lifetime emotional problems.
RESULTS: Lifetime suicide plan and attempt upon college entrance were associated with significant decreases in AYP (3.6% and 7.9%, respectively). A significant interaction was found with average departmental AYP, with STB more strongly associated with reduced AYP in departments with lower than higher average AYP. LIMITATIONS: Limited sample size precluded further investigation of interactions between department-level and student-level variables. No information was available on freshman secondary school academic performance.
CONCLUSIONS: Lifetime STB has a strong negative association with academic performance in college. Our study suggests a potential role for the college environment as target for treatment and prevention interventions.
Language: en |