Suicidal Ideation in Female Students: Examining the Role of Perfectionism and Goal Adjustment

Abstract

Background: Over the last decades youth suicide has been recognized as a significant public health problem. Efforts have been intensified to understand suicidal continuum; from suicide ideation to committing suicide. Objectives: This study sought to examine the predictive role of self-oriented/other-oriented perfectionism, goal reengagement, that increase psychological well-being and goal disengagement and reduce distressing psychological resources, on suicidal ideation among university students. Materials and Methods: This study comprised 310 female university students with mean age of 21.37 years, selected via multi stage random sampling method. All subjects were asked to complete multidimensional perfectionism scale (MPS), goal adjustment scale (GAS) and Beck suicidal ideation (BSI). The data analysis was performed using correlation and stepwise regression methods. Results: The results obtained showed significant correlations between self-oriented perfectionism and goal reengagement with suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Considering the prediction of female students’ suicide ideation by self-oriented perfectionism, other-oriented perfectionism and goal reengagement, further studies are needed in regard to design training and preventing programs in order to reduce the negative effects of perfectionism.