Suicidal Ideation and Depression among Undergraduates in a Tertiary Institution in North Central Nigeria
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Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Education, University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Abstract
The high number of students who are majorly adolescents and young adults harboring suicidal
ideation, as reported by various sources is becoming alarming. This descriptive cross-sectional
study aims to examine the suicidal ideation and depression among undergraduate students in a
tertiary institution in North central, Nigeria.
A total of 136 undergraduates from three purposively selected faculties in the institution were
conveniently recruited for the study and data obtained using a self-structured questionnaire.
Ethical approval was obtained; respondents were fully informed and gave a verbal consent to
participate in the study. Data collection lasted for a period of four weeks a~ duly completed
questionnaires were retrieved on the spot. The data collected was analysed by using Statistical
Product Service Solution (SPSS) version 23.0. Results were summarized using descriptive
statistics of simple percentage, mean, standard deviation and presented on table, pie chart and bar
chart. Chi square was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance.
The study found that majority of the respondents 81(59.6%) were females while 55(40.4%) were
males as vast majority of them 89(65.4%) were between the ages of 20 and 25 years. About 59
(43.4%) were assessed to be normal, 39 (28.9%) had moderate depression, 23 (16.9%) had mild
depression, while 15 (II %) had severe depression. Regarding the coping mechanism, majority
(62.5%) claimed that they sleep when they feel stressed, 30 (22.1 %) pray while others cry
(11.8%), use marijuana (1.5%), play games (0.7%), eat (0.7%), sleep and pray (0.7%). Over 70% or the respondents were satisfied with their relationship with family and friends. A significant
association existed between respondents' level of suicidal ideation & depression and their
satisfaction towards relationship with family and fellow students. There was a significant
difference in the depression rating scores among the three selected faculties.
Satisfaction with family. friend and lecturer relationships playa major role in predicting suicidal
ideation and depression. Therefore, intervention for encompassing good coping mechanism may
contribute to a more positive outcome in the adolescents and young adults.
Description
https://positivepsychology.org.ng/positive-psychology-and-counselling-journal.
Keywords
Suicide, Suicidal ideation, Depression, Undergraduate students