Factors Influencing Suicidal Ideation of College Students

Lee, Sung Hee; Jung, Hyun Ok; Park, Kyung Ran; You, Jun Ok; Ha, Tae Hi; Kim, Hee Sook

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to explore the influence of academic institutional interest, open parent-adolescent communication, social (friend) support, and existential spiritual well-being on suicidal ideation of college students.
METHODS
The research design was descriptive survey research involving 285 college students in city G. Data was collected from May 18, 2011 to November 2, 2011 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regression analysis.
RESULTS
The findings reveal that suicidal ideation of college students was low, i.e., average score was 9.2+/-3.65 (possible range 5~25). This study determined that suicidal ideation is negatively correlated with interest on the part of the academic institution, open parent-adolescent communication, social support from friends, and existential spiritual well-being. The extent of existential spiritual well-being was a significant predictor of suicidal ideation, controlling for general characteristics variables (gender, number of close friends, first supporter) and institutional interest, open parent-adolescent communication, and social support. Existential spiritual well-being accounted for 50% of the explanation of suicidal ideation of college students.
CONCLUSION
Based on the outcomes of this study, designing an intervention program that emphasizes existential spiritual well-being in order to decrease suicidal ideation of tertiary education students is strongly recommended.