Depression as a Predictor of Suicidal Ideation among Enugu State University of Science Undergraduate Students

Abstract

The study investigated depression as a predictor of suicidal ideation among Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) undergraduate students. A sample of 118 students 65 males and 53 females were sampled in the study. The age range of the participants ranged from 17 to 27 years  with mean age of 19.68 and standard deviation of 2.33. Simple (balloting) and systematic sampling techniques were used in selecting the participants. Information was obtained from the participants through the administration of two instruments: Self-rating Depression Scale and Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation. The study adopted a correlational design while simple linear regression analysis was applied on the data. The result shows that the predictor variable (depression) accounted for 6.9% (R² change) variance in suicidal ideation, which is significant to F change (1,116) = 8.543, sig.004; β = .218 t(118) = 2.923 sig. = 0.004. Gender as a control variable showed that female students are prone to suicidal ideation more than their male counterparts. The implications of this study were discussed in relation to literature reviewed and recommendations made. It was concluded that ESUT undergraduate students who manifest depression are may experience suicidal ideation.