Prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation among college students: A mental health survey in Jilin Province, China

Abstract Background The prevention of suicidal ideation plays a key role in reducing suicide rates. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation among college students in Jilin Province, China, and to analyse the risk factors associated with suicidal ideation. Methods A total of 6284 valid data collection sheets were collected using the stratified cluster sampling method. The data collected were divided into four sections, namely, socio-demographic information, family and social interactions, daily habits, and mental health self-rating scales. Results The prevalence of suicidal ideation in the past 12 months was 9.2%. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being a senior (OR = 1.769, 95%CI:1.225–2.555), general family relationships (OR = 1.641, 95%CI:1.172–2.298), frequent parental quarrels (OR = 1.398, 95%CI:1.027–1.902)/parental separation (OR = 2.497, 95%CI:1.414–4.408), the level of satisfaction with motherly love (OR = 2.261, 95%CI:1.454–3.515), having only one or two friend(s) (OR = 1.530, 95%CI:1.038–2.254), frequent excursions to bars/ karaoke halls/ song and dance halls (OR = 1.673, 95%CI:1.257–2.229) or billiard halls with friends (OR = 1.865, 95%CI:1.270–2.740), smoking (OR = 2.175, 95%CI:1.603–2.951), moderate sleep quality (OR = 1.636, 95%CI:1.115–2.402), and depressive symptoms (OR = 2.078, 95%CI: 1.710–2.525) were risk factors for suicidal ideation. Family factors had the most influence on suicidal ideation, whereas depression symptoms were identified to be a mediating factor between family, social interactions, or daily habits and suicidal ideation, and it only exerted direct effects. Limitations This cross-sectional study cannot provide causal interpretations. Conclusion Our findings showed the prevalence of suicidal ideation among college students in Jilin province. Among all the risk factors associated with suicidal ideation, family factors should be the main concern in the prevention of suicidal ideation, and interventions that target depression symptoms are key to reducing suicidal ideation.