Differences in Reasons for Living in College Methamphetamine Users and Non-Users
A number of studies suggest an association between substance use and suicidal behavior. However, relatively few studies have examined reasons for living, adaptive beliefs that prevent one from committing suicide, in substance using populations. The current study examines reasons for living and methamphetamine use in 240 college students. Participants completed a demographics and substance use questionnaire, a suicide questionnaire and the expanded Reasons for Living Inventory. It was hypothesized that methamphetamine users would indicate suicidal ideation more often than non-users, and that methamphetamine users would score lower overall on the Reasons for Living Inventory. A two (methamphetamine use) X two (ideator status) ANOVA was used to analyze differences in total Reasons for Living scores. Individuals who reported methamphetamine use ([n.bar] = 9) did not reveal lower scores when compared to individuals who reported that they had never used methamphetamine, F(1,239) = .29, [p.bar] > .05. This is most likely due to the low number of participants who reported methamphetamine use. Understanding an association between reasons for living and use of methamphetamine as well as other substances could be useful in improving campus and rural mental healthcare. Methamphetamine and Reasons for Living in College Students Each year, over 40,000 deaths occur due to suicide, with an individual dying by suicide every 12.8 minutes (Drapeau & McIntosh, 2015). In 2013, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States and the 2nd leading cause in young adults aged 15-24 (Drapeau & McIntosh, 2015). In addition to deaths by suicide, suicide attempts are also a concern, with more than 1 million suicide attempts estimated to occur each year in the United States, as the number of individuals who attempt suicide may be as much as 25 times the rate of completed suicide (Drapeau & McIntosh, 2015). These fatal and nonfatal outcomes are alarming in themselves, demonstrating the pervasiveness of this mental health issue; however, the impact of suicide is more widespread, as individuals who die by suicide are not the only ones affected. It is estimated that every person who dies by suicide leaves behind an average of 6 "survivors," or family and friends of a loved one who died by suicide (Drapeau & McIntosh, 2015). One group of individuals who may be especially vulnerable to suicide are college students. Not only are college students in an age group at higher risk for suicide, with suicide representing the 2nd leading cause of death in college students, but they also appear to be more vulnerable to suicidal ideation than the general population. Studies estimate that suicidal ideation occurs in about 15 to 18 percent of college students (Drum, Brownson, Burton Denmark, & Smith, 2009), with one in ten college students making a plan for suicide (National Mental Health Association/The Jed Foundation, 2002). Data from the 2006 National College Health Assessment revealed that 44 percent of college student participants indicated they had "felt so depressed it was difficult to function" during the past year and almost one in 10 said that they had "seriously considered suicide" during the year (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 2008). Increased risk for suicide may stem from the fact that college students incur different stresses than their non-college attending peers, as college students report stress based on numerous factors, including family, peer, and faculty relationships, a lack of resources, academic concerns, challenging transitions, and issues of diversity (Hurst, Baranik, & Daniel, 2013). Indeed, attending college is a difficult transition for many, accompanied by feelings of loneliness, anxiety, confusion, and inadequacy (Dyson & Renk, 2006; Fiori & Consedine, 2013; Nordstrom, Goguen, & Hiester, 2014). Additionally, many students are away from their primary support system, which further contributes to feelings of despair (Dyson & Renk, 2006). …