Relationships between different forms of social support and suicidal ideation and gender differences analysis among medical college students in Anhui Province / 中华疾病控制杂志

ABSTRACT

@# Objective To investigate the relationship between various types of social support and suicide ideation, and whether the relationship varies by gender. Methods A total of 4 799 students in cluding freshmen and sophomores were recruited by stratified cluster sampling from 2 medical colleges in Anhui Province. We assessed demographic indicators, social support and suicidal ideation, etc. Logistic regression was used to analyze their gender differences and the relationship between social support and suicidal ideation. Results The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 6.2%, and no gender difference was found ( 2=1.224，P=0.269). The rate of suicidal ideation was higher with the decreasing of social support. Low levels of social support had independent effects on suicidal ideation among total samples and females respectively after controlling for confounding factors (all P<0.05), while low levels of social support, subjective social support and support availability increased the risk of suicidal ideation among males (P value was 0.049，0.002，0.031, respectively). In adolescents with low levels of social support, objective social support and various sources of social support, females versus males had higher risk to have suicidal ideation. Conclusions Low level of social support increased the risk of suicidal ideation among students in medical college, especially for girls. Groups at highest risk of suicidal ideation in relation to certain types of social support should be targeted with interventions accordingly.