Al-Dajani, N., Czyz, E. K., Eisenberg, D., Zheng, K., & King, C. A. (2023). A latent profile
analysis of at-risk first-year undergraduate students. Journal of American College Health,
1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2023.2252909
Abstract
Objective: We examined whether meaningful subgroups of self-injurious behaviors (SIBs) would emerge within a pool of first-year college students already deemed at elevated risk. Participants: First-year undergraduates (N = 1,068) recruited in 2015–2018 Fall terms. Methods: Past-year nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) frequency, past-year number of NSSI methods used, lifetime suicide attempt (SA) history, and recency of SA were included in a latent profile analysis. Results: Four subgroups emerged: low SIB (n = 558, 52%), high NSSI only (n = 182, 17%), high SIB (n = 141, 13%), and high SA only (n = 187, 18%). Students in the high SIB group reported higher levels of suicidal ideation at baseline and follow-up in comparison to all groups. Those in the high NSSI only or high SIB groups had relatively higher levels of NSSI at baseline and follow-up. Conclusions: Findings highlight the amount of heterogeneity within a high-risk group, along with the importance of considering distal and proximal SIBs in university screening efforts.
Keywords: latent profile analysis, longitudinal, nonsuicidal self-injury, suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior