FAMILY RELATIONSHIP AND FINANCIAL STRESS AS PREDICTORS OF SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Abstract

This study examined family relationship and financial stress as predictors of suicidal ideation among undergraduate students of a Nigeria University. A total of 300 students aged 16-25 years (M = 20.70, SD = 2.00) were selected from different departments in the university. Data were collected using the Suicidal Ideation Scale, the Index of Family Relations, and a Financial Stress Scale. A predictive survey research design was adopted and data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. The results indicated that family relationship significantly predicted suicidal ideation (β = −.502, p < .05), suggesting that poor family relationships were associated with higher suicidal ideation. Financial stress also significantly predicted suicidal ideation (β = .632, p < .05), indicating that students experiencing greater financial strain reported higher suicidal thoughts. These findings highlight the importance of psychosocial factors in understanding suicidal ideation among university students. The study recommends that university counselling services and mental health professionals incorporate family-based and financial-stress interventions in suicide prevention strategies among undergraduates.