More Communication Is Needed: Association Between Chinese Graduate Student-Advisor Relationship and Students' Suicidal Ideation

• In Event: Special Topics in Counseling

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the factors associated with graduate students’ suicidal ideation. Stepwise linear regression analysis was conducted to explore the relationships between demographic and background characteristics, graduate school experience, and other mental distresses among 1,247 graduate students enrolled in a four-year university in China. The findings suggested that frequency of communication with faculty advisors was a protective factor of students’ suicidal ideation severity. Other than negative life events, e.g. students’ experiences of domestic violence or loss of a parent, high anxiety level was a risk factor of students’ suicidal ideation severity. Accordingly, more timely and valid student-advisor communication and supports targeting graduate students’ mental distress including anxiety can help reduce graduate students’ suicidal ideation severity.

Authors

• Yin Wu, McGill University

• Shuyi Zhao, University at Buffalo - SUNY

• Lei Zhu, University at Buffalo - SUNY

• Man Shu