Chronotypes and Its Association with the Protective Factors of Suicide Among Undergraduates in TARUMT

Lee, Kai Wen (2024) Chronotypes and Its Association with the Protective Factors of Suicide Among Undergraduates in TARUMT. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Chronotype is a personal trait which is determined by daily activities and sleep time preferences. Chronotype is associated with suicide, where individuals who preferred to stay up late exhibit higher levels of suicidality and more likely to experience psychological issues like behavioral issues and substance use, in contrast to morning types. This study was a cross-sectional study and aimed to investigate and analyze the relationship between chronotype and the protective factors of suicide. Along with, determination of protective factors among undergraduates in TARUMT. Total of 422 undergraduates were recruited as respondents: mostly were Chinese students. Questionnaires regarding chronotype and suicidality were assessed. Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whiteny test and spearman correlation analysis were performed. Analysis results were such that both male and female were demonstrating intermediate chronotype and religious commitment was highest in intermediate chronotype. However, chronotype and other suicidal variables had no statistical differences. No religion reported the highest suicide acceptance followed by Buddhism. Weak direct association between religious commitment and purpose in life and religious commitment showed inverse link with suicide acceptance. Purpose in life lowered the psychache level, while psychache, psychological pain, purpose in life and social support played a role in reducing the level of psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress). Undergraduate with higher suicide acceptance showed greater psychological distress. Anxiety and moderate support among undergraduates were reported to have suicide risk. In conclusion, hypothesis was failed to be accepted as chronotype and its association with protective factor of suicide was inconclusive as religious commitment was indirectly link with chronotype and other mediating factors might present and no statistical difference with the other suicide variables. Religious commitment, purpose in life, social support may be a protective factor of suicide, lowered psychache, psychological pain and suicide acceptance can protect against psychopathlogy and hence against suicide among undergraduate.