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Suicide and Self-Injury

(PS13-28) Sleep Disturbance and Suicidality in College Students

Sunday, November 17, 2024
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM EST
Location: Franklin Hall, Level 4, Marriott Downtown
Abstract Text: Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among college students. The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (ITS) posits that the interaction between thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness (two unmet needs) predicts suicidal ideation, the theorized start to the suicidal behavior continuum. Recent studies, however, have expanded the continuum of suicide risk to include suicide proneness, a constellation of life-threatening and life-diminishing behaviors, as preceding suicidal ideation. Meanwhile, sleep difficulties are common among college students. They have been connected with suicidality but not with suicide proneness. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine whether daytime impairment (sleepiness) and sleep disturbance would mediate the relationship between unmet interpersonal needs and suicide proneness, and if there are gender differences in the model. College students (n=857, female = 63.9%, freshman 52.4%, white 58.1%, heterosexual 76.7%) reported interpersonal needs (INQ M=35.04, SD=16.06), daytime impairment (PROMIS M=21.01, SD=6.98), sleep disturbance (PROMIS M=21.56, SD=7.15) and suicide proneness (M=46.34, SD=8.86). As predicted, results showed a significant indirect effect of both daytime impairment and sleep disturbance on the relationship between unmet interpersonal needs and suicide proneness. This model held for both male and female college students. Sleep issues have emerged as critical to the relationship between suicidal behavior continuum constructs (unmet needs/suicide proneness); sleep also represents a possible intervention target for college students. Specifically, group CBT-I may help improve college students' sleep quality while promoting additional wellness benefits. Universities should increase access to psychoeducation on sleep and mental health.
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