An Analysis of Suicidal Ideation in a College Sample

• Published in: Archives of suicide research Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 41 - 56
• Main Authors: Jeglic, Elizabeth L., Pepper, Carolyn M., Vanderhoff, Holly A., Ryabchenko, Karen A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Group 01-01-2007
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adult; Anger; Antisocial Personality Disorder - diagnosis; Antisocial Personality Disorder - psychology; borderline characteristics; Borderline personality disorder; Borderline Personality Disorder - diagnosis; Borderline Personality Disorder - psychology; Depression; Depressive Disorder - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder - psychology; Female; Humans; Male; Mental illness; Models, Psychological; Personality Inventory; Prevention; Problem Solving; Risk; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Social interaction; Social problems; Social Support; Students; Students - psychology; Substance-Related Disorders - diagnosis; Substance-Related Disorders - psychology; Suicidal ideation; Suicide; Suicide - prevention & control; Suicide - psychology; Suicide, Attempted - prevention & control; Suicide, Attempted - psychology; Undergraduate students
• ISSN: 1381-1118; 1543-6136
• DOI: 10.1080/13811110600897176

Two studies were designed to develop and validate a model of current suicidal ideation. In Study 1, students that reported past suicide attempts (n = 48) were compared to controls (n = 49) on nine variables previously linked to suicidal behavior. In the resulting model, borderline personality characteristics and social support were found to correlate with current suicidal ideation, supporting a mediating model. In Study 2, the Borderline/Social Support (BTSS) model was validated in an independent sample. Implications for risk assessment, prevention and treatment of suicidal college students are discussed.