Purpose: This study examined the effects of self-esteem, stress response, smartphone addiction, and depression on suicidal ideation among college freshmen. The aim was to provide foundational data for mental health nursing interventions to reduce suicide rates. Methods: This descriptive survey examined the general characteristics, self-esteem, stress response, smartphone addiction, and depression of college freshmen, as well as their influence on suicidal ideation. Results: Depression (β=.32, p<.001) was the strongest predictor of suicidal ideation, followed by self-esteem (β=-.20, p<.001), no mental illness history (β=-.13, p<.001), anger symptoms (β=.14, p<.001). The regression model was significant (F=119.46, p<.001), explaining 34.0% of the variance in suicidal ideation. Conclusion: Based on these results, it is necessary to provide psychiatric nursing intervention programs that enhance self-esteem and reduce depression and anger in order to decrease suicidal ideation among college freshmen, thereby enhancing their adaptability to college life. In other words, rather than simply maintaining the current system of assessing mental health and suicidal ideation in college freshmen, we propose developing and implementing self-esteem enhancement programs tailored to the characteristics of college freshmen and various extracurricular programs designed to reduce internalized anger and depression.

https://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2025.34.4.440