Binge Drinking and its Relationship with Suicidal Thoughts and Suicidal Attempts in University Students

Abstract

Binge drinking, notably common among university students, poses health risks. Despite a significant global concern about suicide, especially among young people, research on the connection between binge drinking and suicide in university students is limited. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between binge drinking, suicidal attempts, and suicidal thoughts among university students from two institutions. Among the 2178 participants from public universities, 4.0% reported suicidal attempts, and 26.5% reported suicidal thoughts. Binge drinking did not show a significant association with suicidal attempts or suicidal thoughts. The results revealed that female gender (OR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.32–2.01; p < 0.001) and alcohol use disorder (OR 2.23, 95% CI: 1.49–3.55; p < 0.001] were independent predictive variables for suicidal behavior. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing alcohol-related behaviors and mental health, particularly among females and those with alcohol use disorder, to enhance the overall psychological well-being of university students.