Citation

Sijuwade PO. Res. J. Appl. Sci. 2011; 6(3): 167-173.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011)

DOI

10.3923/rjasci.2011.167.173

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Despite the plethora of research on adolescents suicidal ideation, it is still not clear whether suicidal thoughts are common during the developmental period of adolescence. This study was undertaken to determine the lifetime prevalence, frequency and intensity of suicide ideation in a random sample of undergraduate university students (n = 97). Based on developmental theory, it was hypothesized that ideation would be common and that it would not vary by socio-demographic or psychological variables. Among ideators, it was expected that the intensity and frequency of ideation would vary much in the same as more serious forms of suicidal behavior. Although, ideation was common among the respondents and there were no demographic or psychosocial differences between ideators and non-ideators, the findings related to intensity and frequency of ideation did not follow the expected pattern. Gender and race were not associated with frequency or intensity of ideation and the only significant psychological predictor of both frequency and intensity of ideation was hopelessness. Tolerance towards suicide and an experience with a family or friend's suicidal behavior were also significantly correlated with intensity of ideation. © 2011 Medwell Journals.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescents; Prevalence; Suicidal behavior; Intensity; Psychological variables; Respondents