Assessing Prevalence and Unique Risk Factors of Suicidal Ideation among First-Year University Students in China Using a Unique Multidimensional University Personality Inventor

Identification of central symptoms in problematic WeChat use and depression among Chinese college students: a network analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous research has identified a positive relationship between problematic social media use and depression. However, with the increasing diversification and personalization of social media platforms, the impact of different platforms on college students varies significantly. It is necessary to examine the specific symptom network of problematic use in certain platforms and its relationship with depression. Therefore, this study aims to address these gaps by investigating the symptom network of problematic WeChat use among college students and identifying bridge symptoms linking problematic WeChat use to depression.

METHOD

A total of 6,060 Chinese college students (Mean age = 18.32; range 16-21; 60.66% male, 39.34% female) were recruited and provided self-reports on their problematic WeChat use and depression levels. Latent profile analysis was employed to identify the profiles of problematic WeChat users. Subsequently, four network structures relating to problematic WeChat use and its association with depression were constructed among problematic users.

RESULTS

The analysis revealed three heterogeneous groups of college students regarding their WeChat use, with 11.4% classified as problematic users. Network analysis indicated that the central symptoms of problematic WeChat use were "I feel the need to use WeChat with increasing amounts of time to achieve satisfaction" and "I have used WeChat to relieve of loneliness and stress". No significant gender differences were found in the network structure of problematic WeChat use; the network strength was significantly higher among male students compared to female students. Within the combined network, the central symptoms included "self-dislike," "pessimism," "I feel happy and satisfied when I am on WeChat," and "guilt." A strong association was observed between problematic WeChat use and depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study further elucidate the impact of problematic WeChat use on depression among college students, providing both theoretical and practical insights for developing interventions targeting WeChat use and depression within this demographic.

Use of machine learning for simplification of University Personality Inventory (UPI)

BACKGROUND

Rapid diagnosis of mental health problems is crucial for college students. The University Personality Inventory (UPI) is a commonly used tools for assessing mental health in college students; however, it has certain limitations. This study aimed to develop a machine learning model for predicting the simplified UPI items that can rapidly and effectively screen for mental health issues.

METHODS

To construct the dataset, we administered the UPI to 5155 college students. We compared three machine learning models: Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and K-Nearest Neighbors. Additionally, we analyzed individual features and feature combinations.

RESULTS

Among the three models, the Random Forest model performed the best, with an accuracy of 89.4 %. The UPI number of items in the scale was reduced by 90 % from 60 to 6. And the four items of Sensitive emotions, Physical exhausted, Feel self-abased and Uneasy without reason have high stability, the frequency of occurrence is >90 %.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that machine learning can successfully be applied to simplify the UPI and may be applicable for simplifying other lengthy measurement tools. This simplified measurement tool is expected to help college students assess their own mental health status more quickly and conveniently, enabling them to take timely measures to maintain their mental health.

Perceived COVID-19 Stress and Suicidal Ideation Among College Students: Meditation Roles of Family Cohesion and Unmet Interpersonal Needs

Purpose: Few studies examined variables that might explain the link between perceived COVID-19 stress and suicidal ideation. The present study tested a multiple-sequence mediation model with family cohesion, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness as mediators. Methods: The current study surveyed 1098 college students in China using questionnaires concerning perceived COVID-19 stress, family cohesion, unmet interpersonal needs, and suicide ideation. Results: Perceived COVID-19 stress was significantly associated with family cohesion, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and suicidal ideation. Family cohesion, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness mediated the relationship between perceived COVID-19 stress and suicidal ideation separately. These factors also had multiple sequence-mediated effects between perceived COVID-19 stress and suicidal ideation. Conclusion: The study revealed pathways from perceived COVID-19 stress to suicidal ideation and suggested that interventions to increase family cohesion and reduce one's unmet interpersonal needs were beneficial in decreasing individuals' suicidal ideation.

The Indirect Effect of Sleep on the Association Between Protracted Social Stressors and Psychological Distress Among Hong Kong Young People

PURPOSE

Hong Kong youth and young adults experienced unprecedented stress amid social unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic. Few studies have examined how these stressors were related to psychological distress among youth and young adults. This study assessed how psychological distress is associated with stress from social unrest, financial circumstances, and the COVID-19 pandemic, and whether poor sleep quality may explain these associations.

METHODS

Participants of a representative phone survey included 1,501 Hong Kong youth and young adults (Mage = 26.1 (4.0); 48.2% female). We examined the associations between psychological distress and three types of stress (social unrest, financial, and COVID-19 stress), and the indirect effect of poor sleep.

RESULTS

Eleven point nine percent, 4.1%, and 9.7% of respondents reported feeling very seriously distressed by social unrest, financial circumstances, and the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. All three forms of stress were associated with poor sleep. The indirect effects of poor sleep on the association between all three forms of stress and psychological distress were identified. Moderated indirect effect analysis indicated that being female intensified the effect of COVID-19-related stress on psychological distress and that younger female youth and older male youth were more vulnerable to financial stress and social unrest stress (vs. older female youth and younger male youth).

DISCUSSION

Sleep may be one mechanism that accounts for the association between psychological distress and protracted stressors among Hong Kong youth and young adults. These results suggest the importance of prioritizing sleep improvement in mental health interventions during times of societal change.