Loneliness and Suicide Ideation  During COVID-19 and the  Moderating Role of Social  Support

Previous research indicates that social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic can lead to increased loneliness among university students. These feelings of loneliness can give rise to suicide ideation. Furthermore, research also demonstrates that high social support might weaken this association. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate if increased loneliness predicts suicide ideation among university students and if family and peer support weaken this association. 137 University students over the age of 18 partook in an online survey. To examine whether increased loneliness predicts the presence of suicide ideation, a logistic regression analysis was used. The moderating role of social support was assessed with a moderation analysis. Results indicated that increased loneliness successfully predicts the presence of suicide ideation among university students, which is in line with previous research. However, contrary to existing literature, the moderation analysis yielded...Show morePrevious research indicates that social isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic can lead to increased loneliness among university students. These feelings of loneliness can give rise to suicide ideation. Furthermore, research also demonstrates that high social support might weaken this association. Therefore, the current study aims to evaluate if increased loneliness predicts suicide ideation among university students and if family and peer support weaken this association. 137 University students over the age of 18 partook in an online survey. To examine whether increased loneliness predicts the presence of suicide ideation, a logistic regression analysis was used. The moderating role of social support was assessed with a moderation analysis. Results indicated that increased loneliness successfully predicts the presence of suicide ideation among university students, which is in line with previous research. However, contrary to existing literature, the moderation analysis yielded nonsignificant results. This means that social support does not weaken the association between loneliness and suicide ideation. This inconsistency might be influenced by the assessment method and the moderation model used. Future research should examine the moderating role of social support in the association between loneliness and suicide ideation and the potential long-term effects the Covid-19 pandemic might have on university students’ mental health.Show less

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Loneliness and Suicide Ideation During COVID-19 and the Moderating Role of Social Support