000156597 001__ 156597 000156597 005__ 20251017144623.0 000156597 0247_ $$2doi$$a10.1002/brb3.70457 000156597 0248_ $$2sideral$$a143925 000156597 037__ $$aART-2025-143925 000156597 041__ $$aeng 000156597 100__ $$aSoto-Sanz, Victoria 000156597 245__ $$aSuicidal Behavior in University Students in Spain: a Network Analysis 000156597 260__ $$c2025 000156597 5060_ $$aAccess copy available to the general public$$fUnrestricted 000156597 5203_ $$aIntroduction Suicidal behavior is a significant mental health concern among university students, yet it remains underexplored through a network approach. Traditional methods often overlook the complex interplay of psychological factors influencing suicidal behavior. This study addresses this gap by (a) examining suicidal behavior using network analysis and (b) identifying the psychological network of suicidal behavior along with protective and risk factors among university students. Method The sample consisted of a total of 1048 Spanish university students (M = 20.5 years; SD = 2.5; 58.2% women) from various universities. Several instruments were used to measure suicidal behavior, emotional and behavioral difficulties, prosocial behavior, subjective well-being, emotional intelligence, self-esteem, empathy, affect (both positive and negative), and emotional regulation. Data were analyzed using network analysis to understand the relationships among these variables. Results A total of 21.5% of the participants had experienced suicidal thoughts, 26.3% had wished to be dead or not wake up, 15% had considered specific suicide methods or made plans, and 5.8% had attempted suicide at least once. In addition, 18% had engaged in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) at least once. Network analysis revealed that suicidal behavior was highly interconnected with other psychological factors, with “considered taking own life” as the most influential node. Key factors included depressive symptoms, positive affect, and emotional intelligence. Suicidal behavior showed a positive connection with depressive symptoms and negative affect and a negative connection with self-esteem and positive affect. Stability analysis confirmed the accuracy of the network estimations, indicating reliable insights into the psychological interconnections. Conclusions These findings indicate that suicidal behavior in university students is a complex, dynamic system shaped by cognitive, emotional, and affective factors. Network analysis, through advanced psychopathological and psychometric models, offers valuable insights into suicidal behavior, improving risk and protective factor assessment. This highlights the need for targeted and comprehensive prevention strategies in educational settings.nd protective factor assessment. This highlights the need for targeted and comprehensive prevention strategies in educational settings. 000156597 540__ $$9info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess$$aby$$uhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.es 000156597 655_4 $$ainfo:eu-repo/semantics/article$$vinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion 000156597 700__ $$aGarcía del Castillo-López, Álvaro 000156597 700__ $$aPineda, David 000156597 700__ $$aFalcó, Raquel 000156597 700__ $$aRodríguez-Jiménez, Tíscar$$uUniversidad de Zaragoza 000156597 700__ $$aMarzo, Juan C. 000156597 700__ $$aPiqueras, José A. 000156597 7102_ $$14009$$2680$$aUniversidad de Zaragoza$$bDpto. Psicología y Sociología$$cÁrea Person.Eval.Trat.Psicoló. 000156597 773__ $$g15, 4 (2025), [11 pp.]$$pBrain behav.$$tBrain and behavior$$x2162-3279 000156597 8564_ $$s1150000$$uhttps://zaguan.unizar.es/record/156597/files/texto_completo.pdf$$yVersión publicada 000156597 8564_ $$s2248594$$uhttps://zaguan.unizar.es/record/156597/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon$$xicon$$yVersión publicada 000156597 909CO $$ooai:zaguan.unizar.es:156597$$particulos$$pdriver 000156597 951__ $$a2025-10-17-14:22:38 000156597 980__ $$aARTICLE