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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Amelia M. Arria, PhD¹, Kevin E. O'Grady, PhD², Weiwei Liu, MA¹, Kimberly Caldeira, MS¹, Erin Johnson, BA¹, Kathryn Vincent, MA¹, and Eric D. Wish, PhD¹. (1) Center for Substance Abuse Research, University of Maryland, 4321 Hartwick Road, Suite 501, College Park, MD 20740, 301-405-9795, aarria@cesar.umd.edu, (2) Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, 4321 Hartwick Road, Suite 501, College Park, MD 20740

This report describes initial findings from the College Life Study (CLS) sample of 1253 first-time college freshmen, with respect to suicidal ideation and depression. After study sampling, face-to-face interviews were administered that included questions about demographics, alcohol and other drug use, and a wide array of other personal characteristics, including distress as measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), parental conflict, impulsivity and a standardized assessment of depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). One item on the BDI was used as the indicator of suicidal ideation. A total BDI score of 16 or higher (5% of students) was used to determine depression status. Six percent of students reported having some type of suicidal thought. Interestingly, 58% of females and 75% of males with suicidal thoughts did not meet BDI criteria for depression. Four groups were constructed based on the presence/absence of suicidal ideation and depression: 1) “Non-cases”: Depression absent, suicidal ideation absent; 2) Depression present, suicidal ideation absent; 3) Depression absent, suicidal ideation present; and 4) Depression present, suicidal ideation present (D+/S+). Multinomial logistic regression, controlling for all other variables, revealed that, compared to non-cases: 1) the two depression subgroups had higher GHQ scores; and, 2) D+/S+ cases had higher impulsivity scores. Parental conflict levels also differed between the groups. These findings have important implications for the development of universal and targeted initiatives to reduce the risk of depression and also suicide in the absence of depression among college students. Longitudinal follow-up of this cohort is ongoing.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Summarize the epidemiology of suicide and depression among college students.
• Identify potential correlates of depression and suicide in this population.
• Understand the interrelationships between many of the risk factors for depression and suicide in a college population.

Keywords: College Students, Mental Health

Related Web page: www.collegelifestudy.umd.edu

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No