Citation

Vargas PA, Robles-Sotelo E. J. Am. Coll. Health 2019; 67(2): 97-112.

Affiliation

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arizona State University , Glendale , AZ.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/07448481.2018.1462822

PMID

29652637

Abstract

An association between allergic disease, depression and suicidality has been reported.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationships between suicidality and asthma, allergy, internet addiction, stress, sleep quality, pain/discomfort, and depression, among emerging adults. PARTICIPANTS: 929 college students completed an online survey between October 2015 and April 2017.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study using multivariate analysis techniques was implemented.

RESULTS: Using structural equation modeling, we found that allergies and stress were directly related to pain/discomfort; pain/discomfort was associated to poor sleep, depression, and suicidality. Sleep quality was also affected by stress; while sleep, stress, pain/discomfort, and internet addiction were directly related to depression (all p <.05). Ultimately, four factors impacted suicidality: stress, pain/discomfort, depression, and, indirectly, sleep quality (all p <.05). Although allergy had some effects, these did not reach statistical significance (all, p <.09).

CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that allergy might impact suicidality indirectly through increased pain/discomfort, poor sleep, and depression.

Language: en

Keywords

allergy; asthma; data modeling; depression; mechanism; path analytic technique; regression; suicide