College Students' Suicidal Behavior: Protective and Risk Factors in a State University in Pampanga, Philippines

Background: The world's fourth leading cause of death among young people is a suicide, a serious public health concern. In the Philippines, there is an increasing number of suicide deaths. Objective The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of suicidal behavior among college students in a state university in Pampanga, Philippines, and examine the risk and protective factors most associated with suicidal behavior. Method A cross-sectional study used data from 522 college students obtained through an online survey; 443 were included in the final analysis. Six (6) standardized scales were used to assess the study variables. 24% of the participants have suicidal ideation, 14% have suicidal plans, and 9% would attempt to commit suicide. Results A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that family support and spiritual well-being were protective factors against suicide attempts. On the contrary, depressive symptoms and adverse childhood experiences increased the likelihood of the participants committing suicide. Discussion Even though an association does not imply causation, suicide prevention programs and policies would benefit from understanding how family support, spiritual well-being, and suicidal behavior are interconnected. Moreover, treating depressive symptoms and adverse childhood experiences should be integrated into targeted mental health interventions to reduce suicidal behavior.