2018-2023年臺灣大學生自殺之社會人口學與學業特徵

Abstract

背景：年輕族群的心理健康問題與自殺風險一直是全球關注的議題。近年來，臺灣大專校院學生日益增加的自殺率特別受到的關注。本研究旨在識別影響臺灣大專校院學生自殺的風險因素。 方法：本研究使用臺灣教育部提供 2018 至 2023 年間大學生自殺身亡資料，對象為年齡小於 30 歲的大專校院學生。大學生的社會人口特徵（性別、居住地點及學校類型）以及學業特徵（科系類別、年級、延畢生、休學生、特殊教育需求生、國際學生和進修部學生）的數據是來自教育部統計處及其相關網站。研究採用 Poisson 迴歸模型計算這些特徵與自殺的發生率比（Rate Ratios, RRs）及其95%信賴區間（CIs），並進行性別分層分析，納入交互作用項檢驗性別差異。此外，本研究亦計算每個特徵的族群可歸因分率（Population Attributable Fractions,PAF)。 結果：在 2018 至 2023 年間，共有 363 名大學生自殺身亡。自殺風險在年齡超過23 歲的學生中明顯增加（RR=2.76, 95% CI 2.22-3.42），尤其在女性學生中增加幅度更為明顯(RR=3.66, 95% CI: 2.68–4.99)；相比住在家中的學生，居住於私人租賃處的學生自殺風險更高（RR=2.47, 95% CI 1.97-3.11）。與二至四年級的在學生 相比，延畢學生的自殺發生率較高（RR=1.86, 95% CI 1.27-2.72）；此外，休學學生（RR=1.50, 95% CI 1.08-2.07）和具有特殊教育需求的學生（RR=6.01, 95% CI3.81-9.48）也呈現較高的自殺風險，且這些風險在女性學生中增加的幅度更為明顯。與全體大學生的自殺率相比，主修人文學（RR=2.26, 95% CI 1.12-4.57）、外 國語文學（RR=1.58, 95% CI 1.09-2.28）、本國語文學（RR=2.06, 95% CI 1.10-3.87）、新聞與圖書資訊學（RR=1.95, 95% CI 1.04-3.66）以及社會福利學（RR=1.90, 95% CI 1.17-3.10）的學生自殺發生率較高。 結論：本研究顯示某些大學生群體的自殺風險增加。針對這些群體設計適當的干預措施，應成為自殺防治工作的重點，以滿足其特定需求並減少自殺事件的發生。

Introduction: The mental health issues and suicide risks in young people have been a persistent global concern for years. Recently, there has been a particular focus on the increasing suicide incidence among university students in Taiwan. This study aimed to identify risk factors for suicide among university students in Taiwan. Methods: Data for suicide in university students aged <30 years (2018-2023) were from student death reports provided by Taiwan's Ministry of Education. Data for university student population by sociodemographic characteristics (sex, residence, and the type of university) and academic characteristics (major, year in undergraduate programs, delayed graduation, leave of absence, special educational needs, overseas students, and continuing education) were retrieved from the websites of the Ministry of Education. Poisson regression models were applied to calculate rate ratios (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with these characteristics. Analyses were stratified by sex, with interaction terms used to assess sex differences. The population attributable fractions (PAF) were calculated for each characteristic. Results: There were 363 university student suicides in 2018-2023. Suicide risk was higher in students aged > 23 years (RR=2.76, 95% CI 2.22-3.42) than in younger students. Compared with students living at home, suicide risk increased in those living in privately rented accommodations (RR=2.47, 95% CI 1.97-3.11). Compared with undergraduates in years 2-4, suicide incidence was higher in those who delayed their graduation (RR=1.86, 95% CI 1.27-2.72). Suicide risk increased in students who had taken a leave of absence (RR=1.50, 95% CI 1.08-2.07) and those with special educational needs (RR=6.01, 95% CI 3.81-9.48). These associations varied by sex, with stronger associations observed among female students. Compared with the overall suicide rate among students, students with a major in Humanities (RR=2.26, 95% CI 1.12-4.57), Foreign Language (RR=1.58, 95% CI 1.09-2.28), Local Language (RR=2.06, 95% CI 1.10-3.87), Journalism and Library Information (RR=1.95, 95% CI 1.04-3.66), and Social Welfare (RR=1.90, 95% CI 1.17-3.10) had a higher incidence of suicide. Conclusion: This study showed increased suicide risk in some subgroups of university students. Suicide prevention efforts could usefully target these groups by implementing interventions that address their specific needs.