Relationship between Personality Traits, Academic Performance and Suicidal Ideation among Undergraduates in the University of Lagos

Abstract

Suicide remains a global issue mainly affecting young adults all over the continents. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality types, academic performance and suicidal ideation, and also test for age and gender differences between these variables. Participants for the study were undergraduates of the University of Lagos. The research made use of cross-sectional survey design and convenience sampling technique was used to select 307 undergraduates (151 females and 156 males) from different faculties in the University. Six hypotheses were developed and tested. Data was gathered making use of three research instruments (Big five scale, Suicide Ideation Scale, and CGPA). T-test analysis, regression analysis, correlation analysis were used to test the hypotheses. Results demonstrated that personality predicted suicidal ideation (R2=0.171, F(5,302)= 12.394, p<.01) Also certain personality traits showed significant relationship with suicidal ideation. Neuroticism was positively correlated with suicidal ideation (r =.349; p<.01). Agreeableness (r= -.222; p<.01), conscientiousness (r= -.346; p<.01), and openness (r= -.177; p<.01) showed negative significant correlations with suicidal ideation. Both academic performance and personality traits jointly predicted suicidal ideation (R2= .200; F(6,300) = 12.490; p<.01). Academic performance was negatively correlated with suicidal ideation (r= -.252; p<.01) and also accounted for just 6.3% significant variance in the population of suicidal ideation, while personality was a stronger predictor accounting for 17.1% of the significant variance in the population of suicide. No gender and age difference was reported. Limitations of the study and recommendations made based on the findings were discussed.