Daystar University

This study explores the relationship between participation in mourning rituals, well-being and prosociality within the Luhya community of western Kenya. Cooperation, essential for human success, is often reinforced through rituals that strengthen social bonds and collective identity. We hypothesized that mourning rituals enhance prosocial behaviour, and that this relationship is mediated by subjective well-being. To test these hypotheses, study 1 utilized quantitative surveys to assess the pathway between ritual participation, well-being and prosociality. In support of our hypotheses, we found a strong total effect of ritual participation on prosociality, and strong evidence for the pathway between ritual participation, well-being and prosociality. To contextualize these findings, study 2 employed qualitative methods, including focus groups and interviews, to capture participants' experiences. Narratives illustrated how mourning rituals facilitated communication, emotional expression and community cohesion. Participants noted that rituals helped process grief and reinforced social ties. However, some rituals were perceived negatively, highlighting their complex emotional impact. Overall, our findings suggest that Luhya mourning rituals are vital for enhancing well-being and fostering prosociality, emphasizing the importance of cultural practices in promoting cooperation across communities.

To investigate the associations of demographic variables, childhood adversities (CAs), and mental disorders (MDx) with onset, transition, and persistence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) among first-year university students.

Poisson regression models within a discrete-time survival framework were constructed using web-based self-report survey data from 72,288 incoming university students across 18 countries (response rate=20.9%; median age=19 years, 57.9% female, 1.4% transgender, 21.0% non-heterosexual). These models examined the associations of four demographic variables, five CAs, and eight MDx with STB outcomes.

Lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts was 47.0%, 26.0%, and 9.6%, respectively; 12-month estimates were 30.6%, 14.0%, and 2.3%. In unadjusted analyses, associations were strongest between lifetime onset of suicidal ideation and CAs (RR range 4.4-7.0), particularly parental psychopathology (relative risk [RR]=7.0 [95% CI 6.5-7.7]), followed by MDx (RR range 1.3-3.0). Of the demographic subgroups, transgender students had highest risk of STB (lifetime ideation onset RR=2.4 [2.3-2.6]; ideation-to-attempt transition RR=1.5 [1.3-1.8]). In fully adjusted models, strongest predictors of lifetime ideation onset were emotional abuse (RR=2.1 [1.9-2.2]), major depressive disorder (RR=2.0 [1.9-2.1]), and bipolar disorder (RR=1.8 [1.6-2.0]). Ideation-to-attempt transition remained most strongly associated with panic disorder (RR=1.5 [1.3-1.7]), bipolar disorder (RR=1.4 [1.2-1.7]), and sexual abuse (RR=1.4 [1.2-1.7]). Most predictors were significantly but weakly associated with persistence of ideation and plan, while only physical abuse remained associated with repeated suicide attempts (RR=1.3 [1.0-1.8]).

CAs and MDx are strong predictors of both onset of and transition within the STB spectrum, underscoring the importance of implementing early-life prevention interventions.

The college years are a developmentally sensitive period for mental disorder onset. Reliable epidemiological data are critical for informing public health responses. This study aimed to estimate prevalence and socio-demographic distributions of common DSM-5 mental disorders among first-year university students from 77 universities across 18 countries.

Data were collected 2017-2023 in the World Mental Health International College Student Initiative with n = 72,288 university students. Online surveys assessed alcohol use, attention-deficit/hyperactivity, bipolar, drug use, generalized anxiety, major depression, panic, and post-traumatic stress disorders with validated screening scales. Socio-demographics included student age, sex at birth, gender modality, sexual orientation, and parent education.

The weighted mean response rate was 20.8%. Data were calibrated for differential response rates by sex at birth and age. 65.2% of respondents screened positive for lifetime mental disorders and 57.4% for 12-month mental disorders. Females had higher prevalence of internalizing disorders and males of substance and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders. Older age was associated with lower prevalence of most 12-month but not lifetime mental disorders. Non-heterosexual sexual orientation and identifying as transgender were associated with highest prevalence of most mental disorders. Parent education was for the most part uncorrelated with prevalence.

Although prevalence might have been overestimated due to the low response rate and possible screening scale miscalibration, results nonetheless suggest that mental disorders are highly prevalent among first-year university students worldwide and are widely distributed with respect to socio-demographic characteristics. These findings highlight the need to implement effective interventions to better support first-year university student mental health.