Parenting Styles and Suicidal Behaviors among College Students: Examining the Mediating Roles of Coping, Self-Esteem, and Depression

Abstract

Background: Suicide is influenced by multiple factors. However, the mechanisms through which these factors influence suicide remain understudied. This study aims to examine the relationship between parenting styles (warmth, control, indulgence, humiliation, and neglect), coping, self-esteem, depression, and suicidality (suicidal ideation and suicide attempts) among college students. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 2369 undergraduates (mean age = 20.10 years) including 1201 women (50.7%) at four Chinese colleges. Results: Students reported high rates of suicidal behaviors (12.7% suicidal ideation, 6.4% suicidal attempts) and depression (37%). Structural equation modeling indicated that warmth (+) had associations with coping. Coping was linked to self-esteem and depression. Depression (+), self-esteem (−), warmth (−), and neglect (+) had direct correlations with suicidality. Self-esteem mediated the relationships between warmth and depression. Conclusions: Future prevention intervention efforts aimed at reducing depression and suicidal behaviors should prioritize the promotion of positive parenting styles and the avoidance of negative ones. College mental health services should emphasize positive and optimistic coping strategies to enhance students’ self-esteem.