Suicide Risk and Protective Factors in Nursing Students in the United States

This study examined cultural, contextual and psychological risk and protective factors for suicide risk (i.e., suicide ideation, planning and attempting in the past year) in a cross-sectional sample of nursing students in the United States.

A cross-sectional study design was employed.

Nursing students (n = 9871) were selected from the national 2020-2021 Healthy Minds Study (HMS). Students reported their demographics, suicidality and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviour (NSSIB). They also completed validated self-report measures of depression, belonging and flourishing.

Logistic regressions revealed that racial minority nursing students were at risk for suicidal ideation and attempts, and sexual minority students were at risk for suicidal ideation. Nursing students with a history of mental illness severe enough to seek treatment and those who reported more NSSIB also evidenced greater odds of reporting all forms of suicide risk. Specifically, the odds of suicidal ideation and attempts were more than three times greater for nursing students who reported NSSIB. Additionally, positive elements of flourishing only marginally protected against suicidal ideation, and belonging was not associated with any form of suicide risk.

Findings highlight the high number of nursing students at risk for suicidality and highlight potential demographic and psychological targets for suicide interventions.

Early intervention during nursing school could impact suicide risk throughout a nurse's educational and professional journey. Thus, nurse educators should consider implementing suicide and mental health interventions in their programmes.

No direct patient or public contribution.