Citation

Huang S, Wang D, Zhao J, Chen H, Ma Z, Pan Y, Liu X, Fan F. Psychiatry Res. 2022; 314: 114653.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114653

PMID

35671561

PMCID

PMC9404404

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the patterns and predictors of suicidal ideation (SI) trajectories among college students during extended lockdowns in China. A three-wave survey was conducted during the outbreak period, remission period, and prevention period of COVID-19. Distinct patterns of SI trajectories were established by grouping respondents based on temporal changes in SI. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to examine predictors for delay-occurrence and persistent SI. From a total of 35,516 college students included in the study, rates of SI increased significantly from T1 to T2 (7.3% v. 9.4%) and from T2 to T3 (9.4% v. 12.6%). Five SI trajectories were observed: resilient (80.5% of the sample), recovery (3.6%), relapsing/remitting (4.8%), persistent dysfunction (2.3%) and delayed dysfunction (8.7%). Further, junior-year undergraduates, postgraduates, only-child families, mental health history, confirmed cases in the community of residence, depressive symptoms, and negative coping strategies were significant predictors of distinct SI trajectories, whereas greater social support, more positive coping strategies, and better family functioning were associated with a lower probability of developing delayed or persistent dysfunction during the lockdown period. These findings suggest that continuous preventive and intervening measures for college students during COVID-19 lockdowns are of global importance, particularly among vulnerable groups who experience the most distress.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; College students; COVID-19; Suicidal ideation; Lockdown; *Suicidal Ideation; Students/psychology; China/epidemiology; *COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; Depression/epidemiology; Longitudinal survey