The Relationship between Loneliness and Suicidal Ideation in Private Medical and Dental Students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts, and loneliness among dental and medical students in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 607 dental and medical students and interns in private colleges in Saudi Arabia. A self-administrated questionnaire was based on the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Suicidal ideation and attempts were measured by a questionnaire adopted from previous research. The data was collected at the end of the year at examination time. Results: The loneliness mean was M= 45.14 (SD 8.66). Among the participants, 37.7% had experienced suicidal ideation throughout their lives, 33.4% had experienced suicidal ideation during the previous 12 months, and 23.2% had attempted suicide. Loneliness was significantly related with suicidal ideation during the previous 12 months (p <0.001) and with suicidal attempts (p = 0.005). The results showed that the following subgroups had higher risk for suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts: female, low family income, married, and dental students. Conclusion: The high levels of suicidal ideation and attempts among dental and medical students in the western region of Saudi Arabia call for the implementation of professional counselling and health promotion programs.

An analysis of resilience in dental students using the Resilience Scale for Adults

“…The study of resilience and its significance to gender and how it may or may not influence resilience has been encouraged . Higher overall scores, structured style, social resources resilience, and lower perception of self‐resilience among women (as compared to males) were found, aligning with many previous study results .…”

“…An Australian study found that certain personality profiles aligned with psychological maturity serving as a strong predictor of one's ability to cope with life's challenges, accept limitations and develop strategies to bounce back from adversity . An examination of the relationship between resilience, happiness, and life satisfaction in Saudi Arabian dental students found resilience to be significantly correlated to both life satisfaction and happiness . This study also found a higher level of resilience in females and those persons from families of higher income .…”

“…An examination of the relationship between resilience, happiness, and life satisfaction in Saudi Arabian dental students found resilience to be significantly correlated to both life satisfaction and happiness . This study also found a higher level of resilience in females and those persons from families of higher income . A current gap in the literature regarding resilience studies exists specifically with the lack of studies conducted using US dental student populations.…”

The Relationship Between Empathic Tendency, Life Satisfaction and Professional Self-esteem Among Turkish Military Health Students

“…When students' life satisfaction levels are examined, it is seen that they are satis ed with their lives. When the studies in the literature were examined, life satisfaction levels were found to be high in the studies conducted with the students of medicine and dentistry in Saudi Arabia by Aboalshamat et al [25], with medical students in China by Wang et al [26], with nursing students in Korea by Kim [27]. As individuals with high life satisfaction have a psychologically, socially and physically healthy life, high level of social functionality, more positive relationships in their social environments, a cognitive structure and productivity that are open to personal development, compatible with their lives [28], it is thought that the high level of life satisfaction of individuals in the health sector will have a positive impact on health services.…”

Religious Mosque Leaders (Khateebs): Awareness, Perceptions, Practices and Attitude towards Mental Health, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

“…Furthermore, almost all Khateebs supported that the main reasons underlying suicide include both the fragile religious faith and mental illnesses, and other studies [70][71][72] partially supported these findings. One tenth of RMLs expressed that suicide and suicidal attempts never occurred in Saudi society that is not tenable [73][74][75]. Religious mosque leaders need training workshops that target suicide, suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts and nondeliberate self-injurious behaviors, and presently Khateebs are taking MH training organized by NCPMH.…”