The sources of suicidal ambivalence: favorable and risk factors for suicidal ideation among higher vocational college freshmen–a large sample survey

Suicidal ideation (SI) is a critical public health issue, particularly among college freshmen navigating significant life transitions. Higher vocational college students in China represent an understudied population facing unique academic, social, and employment pressures, which may elevate their suicide risk. This study aims to identify the prevalence of SI and investigate its psychological determinants within this specific group, with a focus on constructs derived from a revised mental health screening instrument. A large-scale, cross-sectional survey was conducted among 5,028 first-year students at a higher vocational college in Eastern China. The University Personality Inventory (UPI) was analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA/CFA) to derive a revised five-factor model. Structural equation modeling (SEM), hierarchical modeling, and bifactor modeling were employed to examine associations between psychological traits and SI. A new five-factor structure of the UPI was identified: “social avoidance”, “emotional vulnerability”, “physical symptoms”, “dependence with cognitive symptoms”, and “interpersonal sensitivity”. SEM revealed that “social avoidance” (β = 0.951) and “emotional vulnerability” (β = 0.511) were positively associated with SI. “Dependence with cognitive symptoms” (β = −0.351) and “interpersonal sensitivity” (β = −0.256) showed negative direct associations but positive indirect associations via mediating pathways. “Physical symptoms” were indirectly associated with SI through social avoidance and emotional vulnerability. The model explained 72.8% of the variance in SI. The 12-month prevalence of SI was 3.7%. Gender was a significant covariate, with females(5.3%) reporting higher SI rates than male(2.7%); age was not statistically significant. The study presents a validated, shortened UPI scale tailored for higher vocational students. “Social avoidance” and “emotional vulnerability” emerged as key correlates of SI among vocational college freshmen. While “dependence with cognitive symptoms” and “interpersonal sensitivity” may serve as protective traits in some contexts, their indirect associations suggest complex psychological pathways. Interventions aimed at reducing SI in this population should focus on enhancing social connectedness, building emotional resilience, and fostering supportive environments that can leverage potential protective traits. Given the cross-sectional design, findings should be interpreted as correlational. Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal mechanisms and inform targeted interventions.