%0 Journal Article
%T The impact of lifetime suicidality on academic performance in college freshmen
%J Journal of affective disorders
%D 2015
%A Mortier, P.
%A Demyttenaere, K.
%A Auerbach, R. P.
%A Green, J. G.
%A Kessler, R. C.
%A Kiekens, G.
%A Nock, M. K.
%A Bruffaerts, R.
%V 186
%N 
%P 254-260
%X BACKGROUND: While suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) among college students are common, the associations between STB and academic performance are not well understood. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 0165-0327
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2015.07.030