title: Loneliness and suicidal ideation in drug-using college students.
abstract: The college years are marked by social changes and behavioral experimentation which may increase risk of suicidal ideation. We propose a novel pathway for the development of suicidal thoughts between two established suicide risk factors, loneliness and drug use, which have not been examined in a nonclinical sample. Data were collected from 207 undergraduate drug-using students at a large southeastern university. As hypothesized, suicidal ideation was positively correlated with both loneliness (r = .40) and drug use (r = .29). After controlling for several demographic variables, social desirability, and anxiety sensitivity, drug use was tested as a potential mediator in the loneliness-suicidal ideation link using a single-mediator model. Results indicated a significant indirect (mediated) effect of loneliness on suicidal ideation via drug use (ab = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.02-0.18), suggesting that loneliness may contribute to suicidal ideation through increased drug use among college students. Identification of and intervention with students reporting loneliness and drug use may be a promising suicide prevention strategy on college campuses.
authors.affiliation: Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Dorian A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lamis
authors.forename: Elizabeth D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Ballard
authors.forename: Amee B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008132:Loneliness / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult; D000092864:Suicide Prevention