Understanding Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among University Students

The Roles of Psychological Distress and Social Support Dynamics

Bibliographic Data

ID22410976
AuthorsHan Zhang (0000-0002-5265-7659, The School of New Media Peking University Beijing PR China), Haitao Zhang (0000-0002-9131-3517, Peking University), Shuyue Li (0000-0001-6459-239X, China‐UK Low Carbon College Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai PR China), Dehuan Liu (The School of New Media Peking University Beijing PR China), Lurong Fan (0000-0002-9800-9980, Business School Sichuan University Chengdu Sichuan PR China, corresponding author), Yu Huang (0000-0003-4378-387X, Chengdu Normal University), Huang Yu (0000-0002-2159-718X, Mental Health Education Center Chengdu Normal University Chengdu Sichuan PR China)
Year2026
Publication date2026-07-07
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Clinical Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0021-9762 • E-ISSN: 1097-4679
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/jclp.70178
PMID42414071
OpenAlexW7167629785
LanguageEN
References cited47

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) constitute a major mental health challenge among university students worldwide, particularly in contexts of intense academic pressure and social transitions. This study investigated the risk factors for STB among Chinese university students, with a primary focus on the roles of psychological distress (PD) and social support dynamics. Using a random sample of 5,617 undergraduate students from a university in Southwest China, data were collected via standardized instruments: the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI 5.0) for STB, the Kessler‐10 (K10) for PD, and the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) for perceived social support. Binary logistic regression and moderation analyses were performed to examine associations and interactive effects. Results indicated that 11% of participants reported STB in recent months. Significant risk factors included female gender (OR = 1.64, 95% CI [1.36, 1.98]), poor family relationships (OR = 1.43, 95% CI [1.12, 1.83]), and left‐behind childhood experiences (OR = 1.22, 95% CI [1.02, 1.47]). Higher levels of PD were significantly associated with increased STB risk (OR = 1.05 per point increase, 95% CI [1.04, 1.07]), while greater social support emerged as a significant protective correlate (OR = 0.94 per point increase, 95% CI [0.93, 0.95]). Moderation analysis indicated that social support significantly buffered the positive association between PD and STB, although this interaction effect was small in magnitude. The co‐occurrence rate of moderate to severe PD and STB was 6%, with higher rates observed among females. These findings highlight the critical need for early PD screening and the development of comprehensive social support enhancement programs in university settings to effectively prevent STB, especially among vulnerable subgroups.

Association (psychology) · Distress · Logistic regression · Mental health · Moderation · Psychological distress · Scale (ratio) · Social support · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

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