Suicidal Ideation in University Students: The Role of Stress, Loneliness, Student Status and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Suicide is among the leading causes of death for university students, particularly those with a history of mental health problems. Certain risk factors for suicidal ideation (SI) remain underexplored, especially in the context of additional stressors introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as social isolation and online education. International students may be affected to a greater extent due to further challenges. The study aimed to investigate how loneliness and academic stress relate to SI and how these effects differed between pre- and peri-pandemic periods and between domestic and international students. Thus, for a cross-sectional online survey data was collected across five cohorts (2018 n = 340, 2019 n = 116, 2020 n = 207, 2021 spring n = 139, 2021 fall n = 215). Participants (N = 1017) consisted of Leiden University students with self-reported mood and stress problems who were 18 years or older (M = 21.1). As hypothesized, both loneliness and academic stress positively...Show moreSuicide is among the leading causes of death for university students, particularly those with a history of mental health problems. Certain risk factors for suicidal ideation (SI) remain underexplored, especially in the context of additional stressors introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as social isolation and online education. International students may be affected to a greater extent due to further challenges. The study aimed to investigate how loneliness and academic stress relate to SI and how these effects differed between pre- and peri-pandemic periods and between domestic and international students. Thus, for a cross-sectional online survey data was collected across five cohorts (2018 n = 340, 2019 n = 116, 2020 n = 207, 2021 spring n = 139, 2021 fall n = 215). Participants (N = 1017) consisted of Leiden University students with self-reported mood and stress problems who were 18 years or older (M = 21.1). As hypothesized, both loneliness and academic stress positively predicted SI. Unexpectedly, effects were stronger pre-pandemic. Loneliness had a greater impact on SI among domestic students, despite international students experiencing more academic stress and loneliness. Academic stress was not moderated by student status. The outcomes of the study confirm that university students were affected differently across distinct phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although mental health outcomes worsened during later pandemic phases, SI rates decreased. Future studies should explore underlying mechanisms that remain unclear.Show less

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Suicidal Ideation in University Students: The Role of Stress, Loneliness, Student Status and the COVID-19 Pandemic