Gender Difference In Association Between Family Environments And Suicidal Ideation Among College Students

Objective: This project aims to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of suicide ideation among college students,and explore gender differences of the relationship between family environmental factors and suicide ideation,so as to provide more targeted and scientific basis for society and school to prevent suicide behaviours among college students.Methods: The subjects of this study are the freshmen in two comprehensive universities in Wuhan.1988 students were selected by cluster random sampling method,of which are 1186 students enrolled in 2011 and 802 students enrolled in 2012.In accordance with the principle of voluntary and informed consent,all students singed the informed consent before the survey started.The study had been conducted twice,which were conducted in May 2012 and 2013 respectively.The time interval of follow-up is one year.The content of baseline questionnaire including basic demographic information,family environment factors,lifestyle,etc.Follow-up survey used the Beck Suicidal Ideas Scale to assess the rate of suicidal ideation in college students over the past year.Results: 1.The rate of suicidal ideation was 13.94% among college students in Wuhan city,with a rate of 15.18% for female and 12.71% for male,but the difference was not statistically significant(?2=2.13,P=0.158).The rate of active suicidal ideation(6.45%)was lower than that of passive suicidal ideation(12.20%)in the past year.In the active suicidal ideation,the rate of males(7.24%)was higher than that of females(5.66%),the difference was not statistically significant(?2=1.73,P=0.197).But the difference was statistically significant for passive suicidal ideation(?2 =4.21,P=0.040).Among 233 students with suicidal ideation,the suicidal ideation intensity between male and female groups was equal(1.56 vs.1.50)but had no statistically difference(t=1.42,P>0.05).The suicidal ideation intensity was positively correlated with the risk of suicide(P<0.01).2.Exploring the relationship between family environmental factors and suicidal ideation,the results of Chi-square test showed that the average annual income of the family,the marital status of the parents,the educational level of father and mother,and parental control had no link with suicidal ideation,while parental care(?2=8.41,P=0.016)parental fighting frequency(?2=9.30,P=0.010),parental quarreling frequency(?2=12.00,P=0.003),relatives and friends' suicidal behavior(?2=4.82,P=0.029),social support satisfaction(?2=4.25,P=0.039),Parent-child relationship(?2=14.62,P=0.001)was associated with suicidal ideation.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that students lacking of parental care were more likely to produce suicidal ideation than students with parental care.In addition,parental relationship,parent-child relationship and religious beliefs were the independent factors of suicidal ideation.3.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female students with high parental care,age in 20~25 and low parental fighting frequency were less likely to produce suicidal ideation than control.For male students,parents often quarrel(OR=2.11,95%CI=1.23~3.63),relatives and friends having suicidal behavior(OR=1.87,95%CI=1.11~3.15),parental divorce(OR=3.58,95%CI=1.07~11.99)would increase the risk of their suicidal ideation.Poor parent-child relationship was an independent risk factor for college male students' suicidal ideation.Conclusion: Family environmental factors can affect suicide ideation,and there are gender differences between college students.Boys and girls have not only same suicidal ideation risk factors in the family environment factors but also their own independent risk factors.Parents and schools should attach importance to family environmental and focus on some factors by different gender,which can help identify high-risk groups more accurately,take efficient suicide prevention and intervention measures to reduce the incidence of college students' suicide.