Loneliness, depression and suicidal ideation among students at Makerere University.

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the relationship between Loneliness, Depression and Suicidal Ideation among the students at Makerere University. The main objectives of this study was to examine the relationship between Loneliness and suicidal ideation among the students, to examine the relationship between Loneliness and Depression among the sudents, to examine the relationship between Depression and Suicidal ideation among the students. To achieve the above objectives, well structured questionnaires were used in the data collection process; the data was analysed using the statistical software package for social sciences ( SPSS/ PASW). Pearson’s product moment correlation (r) was used to determine the significance of the relationships among variables. The results revealed that there was a significant relationship between Loneliness and Suicidal Ideation (P=.000< .05) which implies that Loneliness which can be indicated by having no close friends to talk to could lead to suicidal Ideations.The results of the study further indicated that there was a significant realtionship between Loneliness and Depression (P=.000< .05) which implies that Loneliness which can be indicated by being alone and isolation from others could lead to Depression. Finally, the study revealed that there was a significant relationship between Depression and Suicidal Ideation (P=.003<.05) implying that as levels of Depression increase, Suicidal Ideation also increases. Thus, this study recommends that university institutions should continue to provide Therapeutic and PsychoSocial interventions aimed at reducing Loneliness which could possibly lead to Depression and thus lead to Suicidal Ideation.