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. 2022 Sep;26(11):1437-1451.
doi: 10.1177/10870547221075844. Epub 2022 Feb 4.

The Mediating Roles of Mental Health and Substance Use on Suicidal Behavior Among Undergraduate Students With ADHD

Natasha Brown  1 , Margaret McLafferty  2 , Siobhan M O'Neill  3 , Rachel McHugh  3 , Caoimhe Ward  2 , Louise McBride  1 , John Brady  4 , Anthony J Bjourson  2 , Colum P Walsh  5 , Elaine K Murray  2
Affiliations

The Mediating Roles of Mental Health and Substance Use on Suicidal Behavior Among Undergraduate Students With ADHD

Natasha Brown et al. J Atten Disord. 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of suicidal ideation (SI), plans and attempts, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Furthermore, we explored the mediating effects of depression, anxiety, alcohol and substance use on the association between ADHD and suicidal behaviors and NSSI.

Method: Participants were first-year undergraduate students (n = 1,829) recruited as part of the World Mental Health International College Student Initiative. Participants completed validated clinical measures online.

Results: The prevalence of suicide behaviors and NSSI were significantly higher among students with ADHD than those without. Mediation analyses indicated that ADHD directly and indirectly increased suicidal behaviors and NSSI. While ADHD increased suicidal behaviors and NSSI through depression, ADHD and the co-variates age and gender also had indirect effects on suicidal behaviors via substance use.

Conclusions: Specific predictors of risk were identified for students with ADHD which may inform the development of more targeted mental health and suicide prevention strategies across campuses.

Keywords: ADHD; college students; depression; substance use; suicide.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Multiple mediator model of direct and indirect effects.
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