The influence of reinforcing factors on suicidal intention among students in South-South universities, Nigeria

Abstract

The study objective was to determine the influence of reinforcing factors on suicidal intention among students in south-south, Nigeria. Reinforcing factors considered were level of family relationship and support, peer distractions, teacher-responses experienced and drug use dispositions. Descriptive survey was adopted using multi-stage sampling techniques. 115 students participated in the study. Institutions selected for the study were University of Port-Harcourt, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Federal University Otuoke, Niger Delta University, State University Akwa Ibom and Obong University. Data were collected using questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics; frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and inferential statistics, correlation test using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and statistical significance was accepted at P<0.05 level of significance. Results revealed there was significant but weak positive correlation (r=0.214, p=0.011<0.05) between drug use disposition and suicidal intention, significant but weak positive relationship between suicidal intention and family support (r=-0.179, p=0.028<0.05) and teacher-student experience (r=-0.178, p=0.029<0.05) existed. However, there was no significant relationship between peer distraction and suicidal intention (r=0.041, p=0.330>0.05. Regression analysis showed significant relationship between reinforcing factors and suicidal intention (F110 =2.92, P=0.025<0.05, R2 =0.096). Results showed reinforcing factors account for 9.6% of the variation in suicidal intention. Peer distraction, family relationship and support, teacher-student experience and drug disposition when combined have significant effect on suicidal intention. This study recommends that health education should focus more on dangers of substance use and positive impact of other reinforcing factors to promote and boost the influence of the reinforcing factors on suicidal intention among students. Key words: Suicidal intention, reinforcing factors, peer distractions, drug use, family support and teacher-student relationship.