Determinants of Suicidal Ideation among Nursing Students

Abstract

 In 2014, the World Health Organization reported that suicide was the third highest cause of death among adolescents worldwide. These cases are usually preceded by suicidal ideations influenced by factors such as psychosocial functioning and coping. This study utilized a descriptive-correlational design to explore the extent towards which self-esteem, social support, and stress serve as determinants of suicidal ideation among nursing students. A total of 211 nursing students from a selected university were purposively selected to answer a questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings showed that the participants’ level of self-esteem and social support were both high while their stress level was average. Suicidal ideation was rated as low. Higher levels of self-esteem and social support were associated with lower suicidal ideations, while higher levels of stress were associated with higher suicidal ideations. Together, these three factors accounted for 24.2% of the variance in suicidal ideation, with stress level being the strongest predictor. There was a significant difference in the relationship between self-esteem and suicidal ideation as well as between stress level and suicidal ideation when religion was considered. Age, academic performance, gender, socio-economic status, and year level did not have a significant impact on the relationship between the determinants and suicidal ideation.