Prevalence and associated factors of suicidal ideation among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic in China: a 3-wave repeated survey

Abstract

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a major public health crisis, harms individuals’ mental health. This 3-wave repeated survey aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation at different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in a large sample of college students in China. Methods: Using a repeated cross-sectional survey design, we conducted 3 online surveys of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic at 22 universities in Guandong, China. The 3 surveys were conducted during the outbreak period (T1: 3 February to 10 February 2020, N = 164,101), remission period (T2: 24 March to 3 April 2020, N = 148,384), and normalized prevention and control period (T3: 1 June to 15 June 2020, N = 159,187). Suicidal ideation was measured by the ninth item of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. A range of suicide-related factors was assessed, including sociodemographic characteristics, depression, anxiety, insomnia, pre-existing mental health problems, and COVID-19-related factors. Results: The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 8.5%, 11.0% and 12.6% at T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Male sex (aOR: 1.35–1.44, Ps < 0.001), poor self-perceived mental health (aOR: 2.25–2.81, Ps < 0.001), mental diseases (aOR: 1.52–2.09, P < 0.001), prior psychological counseling (aOR: 1.23–1.37, Ps < 0.01), negative perception of the risk of the COVID-19 epidemic (aOR: 1.14–1.36, Ps < 0.001), depressive symptoms (aOR: 2.51–303, Ps < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (aOR: 1.62–101.11, Ps < 0.001) were associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation. Conclusion: Suicidal ideation appeared to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic remission period among college students in China. Multiple factors, especially mental health problems, are associated with suicidal ideation. Psychosocial interventions should be implemented during and after the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce suicide risk among college students.