Unsurprising, but an opportunity to improve: Lifetime suicidal thoughts and behaviors have a strong negative association with collegiate academic performance

J Affect Disord. 2015 Jul 31;186:254-260. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2015.07.030. [Epub ahead of print]

The impact of lifetime suicidality on academic performance in college freshmen.

Mortier P1, Demyttenaere K2, Auerbach RP3, Green JG4, Kessler RC5, Kiekens G2, Nock MK6, Bruffaerts R2.

Author information

• 1Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven University, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: philippe.mortier@uzleuven.be.
• 2Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven University, Herestraat 49, Leuven, Belgium.
• 3Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Center for Depression, Anxiety and Stress Research, Belmont, MA, USA.
• 4School of Education, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
• 5Harvard Medical School, Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
• 6Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

While suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) among college students are common, the associations between STB and academic performance are not well understood.

METHODS:

As part of the World Mental Health Surveys International College Student project, web-based self-reported STB of KU Leuven (Leuven, Belgium) incoming freshmen (N=4921; response rate=65.4%) was collected, as well as academic year percentage (AYP), and the departments to which students belong. Single- and multilevel multivariate analyses were conducted, adjusted for gender, age, parental educational level, and comorbid lifetime emotional problems.

RESULTS:

Lifetime suicide plan and attempt upon college entrance were associated with significant decreases in AYP (3.6% and 7.9%, respectively). A significant interaction was found with average departmental AYP, with STB more strongly associated with reduced AYP in departments with lower than higher average AYP.

LIMITATIONS:

Limited sample size precluded further investigation of interactions between department-level and student-level variables. No information was available on freshman secondary school academic performance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Lifetime STB has a strong negative association with academic performance in college. Our study suggests a potential role for the college environment as target for treatment and prevention interventions.