Abstract

Backgrounds

Associations between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) subtypes and suicidal behaviors remains unclear. The current study explored the prevalence of suicidal behaviors, and its association with ADHD among Chinese medical students.

Methods

Five thousand six hundred ninety-three medical college students participated. Symptoms of suicidal behaviors, ADHD, anxiety, depression, tobacco and alcohol use were assessed using online questionnaires.

Results

The prevalence of lifetime suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts among medical college students were 27.5, 7.9 and 14.8% respectively. Participants with ADHD predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-I) had more than fivefold increased odds of suicidal behaviors, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of ADHD-I and ADHD combined type (ADHD-C) remained significant after controlling for confounding factors.

Conclusions

ADHD is associated with high risk of suicidal behaviors. ADHD-I and ADHD-C were strongly associated with suicidal behaviors independent of comorbidities. The finding suggests the importance of addressing ADHD symptoms in suicide prevention.

Details

Title
Suicidal behaviors and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a cross-sectional study among Chinese medical college students
Author
Shen, Yanmei; Bella Siu Man Chan; Huang, Chunxiang; Cui, Xilong; Liu, Jianbo; Lu, Jianping; Patel, Marguerite; Verrico, Christopher D; Luo, Xuerong; Xiang Yang Zhang
Pages
1-9
Section
Research article
Publication year
2021
Publication date
2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
e-ISSN
1471244X
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03247-6
ProQuest document ID
2528988015
Copyright
© 2021. This work is licensed under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.