Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40249048›Full record

ArticleBrain and behavior2025

Suicidal Behavior in University Students in Spain: a Network Analysis.

Victoria Soto-Sanz, Álvaro García Del Castillo-López, David Pineda, Raquel Falcó, Tíscar Rodríguez-Jiménez, Juan C Marzo, José A Piqueras

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Brain and behavior, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Victoria Soto-SanzMiguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain.
Álvaro García Del Castillo-LópezMiguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8024-9532
David PinedaMiguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain.
Raquel FalcóUniversity of La Rioja, La Rioja, Spain.
Tíscar Rodríguez-JiménezUniversity of Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain.
Juan C MarzoMiguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4284-6744
José A PiquerasMiguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3604-5441

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionSuicidal behavior is a significant mental health concern among university students, yet it remains underexplored through a network approach. Traditional methods often overlook the complex interplay of psychological factors influencing suicidal behavior. This study addresses this gap by (a) examining suicidal behavior using network analysis and (b) identifying the psychological network of suicidal behavior along with protective and risk factors among university students.

methodThe sample consisted of a total of 1048 Spanish university students (M = 20.5 years; SD = 2.5; 58.2% women) from various universities. Several instruments were used to measure suicidal behavior, emotional and behavioral difficulties, prosocial behavior, subjective well-being, emotional intelligence, self-esteem, empathy, affect (both positive and negative), and emotional regulation. Data were analyzed using network analysis to understand the relationships among these variables.

resultsA total of 21.5% of the participants had experienced suicidal thoughts, 26.3% had wished to be dead or not wake up, 15% had considered specific suicide methods or made plans, and 5.8% had attempted suicide at least once. In addition, 18% had engaged in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) at least once. Network analysis revealed that suicidal behavior was highly interconnected with other psychological factors, with "considered taking own life" as the most influential node. Key factors included depressive symptoms, positive affect, and emotional intelligence. Suicidal behavior showed a positive connection with depressive symptoms and negative affect and a negative connection with self-esteem and positive affect. Stability analysis confirmed the accuracy of the network estimations, indicating reliable insights into the psychological interconnections.

conclusionsThese findings indicate that suicidal behavior in university students is a complex, dynamic system shaped by cognitive, emotional, and affective factors. Network analysis, through advanced psychopathological and psychometric models, offers valuable insights into suicidal behavior, improving risk and protective factor assessment. This highlights the need for targeted and comprehensive prevention strategies in educational settings.

Indexed as

StudentsSuicidal IdeationSuicideSuicide, AttemptedAdolescentAdultEmotional IntelligenceFemaleHumansMaleRisk FactorsSelf ConceptSelf-Injurious BehaviorSpainUniversitiesYoung Adultemotional well‐beingmental healthnetwork analysissuicidal behaviorsuicidal ideationsuicideuniversityyouth

Identifiers

PMID40249048
PMCPMC12006927

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.