title: Positive social support, negative social exchanges, and suicidal behavior in college students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Risk for suicide is often higher among college students, compared to same-age noncollegiate peers, and may be exacerbated by quality of social support and interactions. The authors examined the independent contributions of positive social support and negative social exchanges to suicide ideation and attempts in college students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were 439 volunteer undergraduate students, who were primarily female (71%).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, survey design. Participants completed measures assessing positive social support, including emotional, informational, and tangible support; negative social exchanges; and suicidal behavior, including ideation and attempts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Positive social support, particularly tangible support, and negative social exchanges were significantly predictive of greater suicidal behavior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Practical manifestations of support may buffer against suicide risk for college students, whereas conflict-based interactions may contribute to increased risk. At the institutional, parental, and peer levels, promotion of supportive relationships may be an important suicide prevention strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA. hirsch@etsu.edu
authors.forename: Jameson K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Hirsch
authors.forename: Alison L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Barton
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention