Factors associated with suicide risk among Brazilian graduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Published in: Death studies Vol. 48; no. 9; pp. 894 - 904
• Main Authors: Fernandes Martins Molina, Nayara Paula, Pereira Júnior, Assis do Carmo, Di Donato, Gabriela, Pillon, Sandra Cristina, Giacchero Vedana, Kelly Graziani, de Medeiros Alves, Verônica, Miasso, Adriana Inocenti
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Routledge 20-10-2024; Taylor & Francis LLC
• Subjects: Adult; Brazil - epidemiology; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 - psychology; Female; Humans; Male; Risk Factors; Students - psychology; Suicide - psychology; Suicide - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Brazil
• ISSN: 0748-1187; 1091-7683; 1091-7683
• DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2023.2285936

Though pandemic-related suicides are a concern, little is known about factors potentially linking graduate student life and suicide risk. This study identified factors associated with suicide risk among Brazilian graduate students (N = 5,344) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, this study revealed that 31.5% of participants presented some risk for suicide: 16.6% "low risk," 4.7% "moderate risk," and 10.2% "high risk." Higher income and religious affiliation were identified as protective factors. Identified risk factors encompass non-heterosexual orientation, a history of depression or posttraumatic stress or common mental disorders diagnoses, the use of medications-both general and psychopharmaceuticals-without medical prescription, antipsychotics use, alcohol consumption, lack of health insurance, and dissatisfaction with life as a result of accessing social media networks. The high vulnerability of graduate students to suicide risk highlights the need for institutional suicide prevention initiatives.