Suicidal Ideation among in-School Adolescents and Stress-Related Factors: A Pilot Study of a Nigerian Educationally Less Developed State (ELDS)

Abstract

This pilot study investigated the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and stress-related factors in a Nigerian educationally less developed state (ELDS). Because there may be insufficient supports in ELDS schools, this study becomes imperative to gain an understanding of how the impact of stress caused by significant people's academic expectations, as well as stress caused by academic activities themselves, on adolescents' suicidal ideation could lead to evidence-based interventions for students in this context. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, 300 in-school adolescents were sample for the study. Data were gathered via survey questionnaires. The data were analyzed using percentages, mean, t-test, and ANOVA, and the findings revealed that almost 46% of the respondents had suicide ideation, more than half of the students suffered academic stress, and were pressured by parents to succeed in school. Suicidal thoughts were significantly influenced by students' perceived academic stress and parental academic pressure. Among the demographic variables, only gender had a significant impact on students' suicidal ideation. It was concluded that stress-related factors may have a greater impact on students' suicide ideation than demographic variables. The significance of the findings was highlighted.