Relationship between Life Satisfaction and Suicidal Ideation among Malaysian University Students

Soon, Mei Shi and Chuah, Hooi Mei (2021) Relationship between Life Satisfaction and Suicidal Ideation among Malaysian University Students. Relationship between Life Satisfaction and Suicidal Ideation. (Unpublished)

Text Soon Mei Shi.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (4MB)

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was undertaken to examine the relationship between life satisfaction and suicidal ideation, and gender difference in suicidal ideation. A total of 180 (105 females, 75 males) Malaysian university students, aged 17 to 26 years participated in the study. Participants completed an online survey consisting Satisfaction with Life Scale and Yatt Suicide Attitude Scale. Spearman’s Rho Correlation and Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to analyse the data collected. Results revealed that there is a significant correlation between life satisfaction and suicidal ideation, r(180) = -0.245, p < 0.001. Mann-Whitney U test showed that U = 3799.5, z = -0.430, p = 0.667, which indicated no gender difference in suicidal ideation among Malaysian university students. These results underscore the importance of improving life satisfaction to reduce suicidal ideation among Malaysian university students. Organization of mental health campaigns in universities should be focused on improving students’ life satisfaction as an intervention to help university students with suicidal ideation. Suicide prevention strategies should be directed to both males and females, and not inclined to only one gender.