Examining the Relationship between Academic Expectations and Suicidal Ideation among College Students in India Using the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide

Abstract

Objective

As the second most populous country in the world, India accounts for over 20% of the global suicide deaths. Notably, young adults make up 38% of those who die by suicide in India. Yet, the literature on factors associated with suicide within this age group in India is limited. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPTS) posits thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness as constructs that heighten the risk for suicide. Testing mechanisms that may mediate the relationship between common stressors for young adults in India, such as academic expectations, and suicidal ideation are important to better understand factors contributing to suicide risk within this country.

Method

Indian college students (N = 432, M_age = 19.41, 73.1% male) completed questionnaires on academic expectations, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, collectivism, and suicidal ideation.

Results

Current suicidal ideation was endorsed at a rate of 38%. Academic expectancy from the self, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness was significantly associated with suicidal ideation. The only significantly mediated pathway was academic expectancy from others to suicidal ideation through perceived burdensomeness. Collectivism was not a significant moderator in the model.

Discussion

The sample endorsed high rates of suicidal ideation, highlighting the need for culturally appropriate interventions. Thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and academic expectations from oneself may be relevant treatment targets for reducing suicidal ideation among college students in India.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Over one-third of Indian university students endorsed suicidal ideation.

• Suicidal ideation related to one’s own more than others’ academic expectations.

• Results offer support for the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide within this context.

Keywords:

• Collectivism
• college students
• culture
• India
• suicidal ideation
• suicide

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, SNO.

Notes

1 We initially conducted analyses controlling for gender. However, as the pattern of results were the same, we present the unadjusted models for ease of interpretation.

Additional information

Funding

Author SNO reports support from the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program during the conduct of the study. Any opinion, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Notes on contributors

Shelby Ortiz

Shelby Ortiz, Pankhuri Aggarwal, Anjali Jain, and Nikhil Singh, Department of Psychology, Miami University, Miami, Ohio, USA.

Pankhuri Aggarwal

Shelby Ortiz, Pankhuri Aggarwal, Anjali Jain, and Nikhil Singh, Department of Psychology, Miami University, Miami, Ohio, USA.

Anjali Jain

Shelby Ortiz, Pankhuri Aggarwal, Anjali Jain, and Nikhil Singh, Department of Psychology, Miami University, Miami, Ohio, USA.

Nikhil Singh

Shelby Ortiz, Pankhuri Aggarwal, Anjali Jain, and Nikhil Singh, Department of Psychology, Miami University, Miami, Ohio, USA.

Tony S. George

Tony S. George, Department of Psychology, Christ University, Bengaluru, India.

April Smith

April Smith, Department of Psychology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA.

Vaishali V. Raval

Vaishali V. Raval, Department of Psychology, Miami University, Miami, Ohio, USA.