Psychological predictors of suicide risk in emerging adults: a study of university students in spain

Emerging adulthood is a vulnerable period characterized by challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, and the risk of suicide. The transition to university represents a significant milestone for youth, profoundly influencing their identity development and psychological well-being. This study aims to examine the relationships among the psychological variables in emerging adults, to identify the primary predictors of suicide risk in them. 1228 participants, aged 18 to 29 years (M = 20.15, Me = 20, SD = 2.12), from four Spanish universities. We evaluated sociodemographic variables, psychological variables (self-esteem, resilience, and emotional regulation), clinical variables (depression, anxiety, stress, and suicide risk), and academic variables (field of study and knowledge related to suicide). Students from various academic disciplines: Psychology, Medicine, other health-related disciplines, sociosanitary, education legal-criminological and communication and public relations disciplines. Findings highlight anxiety, depression, age, and a family history of suicidal behavior as primary predictors of suicide risk during emerging adulthood. Notably, significant emotional psychopathology was observed among emerging adults, particularly in the field of education, where higher risk and limited knowledge about suicide were found compared to other academic disciplines. This study provides valuable evidence on suicide risk and protective factors among university students.