Depression, Stressful Life Event, Coping Skills and Family Relationship as Predictor’s of Suicidal Ideation among Correctional Centers’ Inmates in Ondo State
Ebenezer Akorede OLAYERIJU
This study investigated family relationship, stressful life event, depression, and coping skills as predictors of suicidal ideation among Correctional Centers’ inmates. Two hundred and forty six (246) Correctional Centers’ inmates (220 males and 26 females) sampled from Olokuta Correctional Centers and Owo Correctional Centers participated in the Study. Their ages ranged from 19 to 50 with a mean of 30.86 years and standard deviation of (SD-9.94). Family relationship was measured using Index of Family Relation, Stressful Life event was measured using Life Event Scale, depression was measured using Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, coping skills was measured using Pro-active Coping Skill Scale, and suicidal ideation was measured using Modified scale for Suicidal Ideation. Six hypotheses were formulated and tested with Hierarchical Regression. Results showed that depression significantly predicted suicide ideation (B=-0.04; t -2.33; p< 0.05). Life event significantly predicted suicide ideation (B=-0.38; t = -17.23; p < 0.01). To add with, the results also showed that family relation significantly predicted suicide ideation (B = 1.10; 1= 66.05; p < 0.01). Furthermore, the results also showed that perceived coping skills significantly predicted suicide ideation (B = -0.25; t = -14.01; p < 0.01). Lastly, on the joint contribution of all the independent variables to the prediction of suicide ideation, the results indicated that all the independent variables when pulled together yield a multiple R of 0.99 and R’ of 0.99 (F (1, 236) = 1882.29; p<0.01). Based on these findings, it is recommended that future research should focus on the inclusion of additional variables such as socio-economic status, as well as the use of longitudinal studies to explore the dynamics of Correctional Centers inmate’s suicidal behaviour. The implementation of programs aimed at enhancing effective coping strategies and social skills of inmates are also recommended.
Keywords:
Family relationships, depression, coping skills, life stressful events, correctional centers suicidal ideation