The relationship between Korean university students’ suicidal ideation and risk factors: a meta-analysis

Abstract

This study examines risk factors for university students’ suicidal ideation based on a meta-analysis of research published in South Korea from 2004 to 2019. Risk factors included depression, life stress, parents’ critical communication, and job stress. Publication bias and study-specific moderator variables were also examined. Depression had the largest effect size, followed by life stress, parents’ critical communication, and job stress. Meta-regression analysis showed differences in the effect sizes for depression, parents’ critical communication, and job stress according to publication year. The probability of publication bias was low. These findings can help to develop effective suicidal ideation prevention programs for university students. In particular, counselling centres should help intensively prevent and manage depression among university students. Furthermore, mental health services, such as education and counselling programs that address suicidal ideation, must be easily accessible by integrating the students’ homes, schools, and communities.