Suicide among university students: prevalence, risks and protective factors.

Journal: Health psychology and behavioral medicine

Volume: 8

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Counselling Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Department of Psychology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.

Abstract summary 

Research evidence on suicide in Ghana so far has focused mostly on suicide in the adult population and less work on the younger population such as university students and other vulnerable groups such as children, youth and the aged. This study was conducted to determine lifetime and current prevalence of suicidal ideation or attempts and identify the associated risks and protective factors among university students in Ghana. Using a cross-sectional design, 1003 university students (507 males and 496 females) with a mean age of 20.5 years (SD = 5.95) were administered questionnaires that measured suicide, psychological distress, self-esteem and subjective wellbeing. We found the following prevalence rates of suicidal behaviours: ideations 15.2%, attempted 6.3%, death wishes 24.3% and suicidal plan 6.8%. Psychological distress was a risk factor for both suicidal ideation and suicidal attempt. Subjective wellbeing was protective of suicide attempt while self-esteem was protective of suicidal ideation. These findings underscore the need for school-based mental health-promoting programmes that enhance young people's self-esteem, reduce psychological distress and boost subjective wellbeing.

Authors & Co-authors:  Owusu-Ansah Frances Emily FE Addae Akua Afriyie AA Peasah Bernice Ofosuhene BO Oppong Asante Kwaku K Osafo Joseph J

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Adinkrah, M. (2011). Epidemiologic characteristics of suicidal behaviour in contemporary Ghana. Crisis, 32, 31–36. doi: 10.1027/0227-5910/a000056
Authors :  5
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1080/21642850.2020.1766978
SSN : 2164-2850
Study Population
Males
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Ghana;Suicide;protective factors;risk;university students
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Ghana
Publication Country
England