TY - JOUR PY - 2024// TI - Meaning in life mediates the association between depressive symptoms and future frequency of suicidal ideation in Spanish university students: a longitudinal study JO - Suicide and life-threatening behavior A1 - Pérez Rodríguez, Sandra A1 - Layrón Folgado, José Enrique A1 - Guillén Botella, Verónica A1 - Marco Salvador, José H. SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - INTRODUCTION: There is a need for longitudinal studies that focus on protective factors against suicide in Spain. We analyzed the estimated prevalence of suicidal ideation in a sample of Spanish university students. Second, we explored the relationship between future suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation at T1, and meaning in life and its dimensions of meaning and purpose. Third, we analyzed the mediation role of meaning in life between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation evaluated with Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA).

METHOD: In this longitudinal study, a total of 718 Spanish university students were assessed at T1, of whom 279 completed questionnaires along with EMA (T2).

RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of suicidal ideation was 8.4%. Levels of depressive symptoms were positively correlated with suicidal ideation and negatively with meaning in life and its dimensions of meaning and purpose. Meaning in life and its dimensions mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms and subsequent suicidal ideation.

DISCUSSION: There is a high prevalence of suicidal ideation among Spanish university students, and it is associated with depressive symptoms and meaning in life, with the latter acting as a protective factor. Thus, psychotherapeutic prevention programs from a logotherapeutic perspective could help to reduce students' suicide risk.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0363-0234 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/sltb.13040 ID - ref1 ER -