University Students with Current Suicidal Ideation and Perceived Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Mental health problems seemed to have increased among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. To deepen our understanding of the pandemic’s effects in this population, we conducted qualitative research to investigate any perceived changes in students during the pandemic, differentiating the sample based on the presence or absence of current suicidal ideation (SI). Methods: A wide sample of Italian university students (n = 1,214) completed an online questionnaire during the COVID-19 pandemic, March 2020–June 2021. We conducted a computer-assisted content analysis of an open-ended question about the perceived changes that occurred to them during the pandemic. Results: (1) Four thematic clusters were identified: “The psychological impact of the pandemic,” “New ties and new loneliness,” “An uncertain forethought” and “Discovering the value of relationships.” (2) In subjects characterized by severe SI, the state of confinement at home was related to the most intense emotional states and worries. (3) Students with severe SI were different from the others, in particular using the lemma “panic,” which was the only psychological state specifically associated with this group. Conclusions: Students with current severe SI experienced higher level of psychological distress and suffering compared to the other groups during the pandemic.