Abstract
BackgroundThe high number of adolescents and young adults harbouring suicidal ideation, as reported by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, is alarming. This cross-sectional study aims to examine the association between social support and spiritual wellbeing in predicting suicidal ideation among Malaysian adolescents.MethodsA total of 176 adolescents in selected urban areas in the states of Wilayah Persekutuan and Selangor were selected. The Suicide Ideation Scale (SIS) was used to measure the level of severity or tendency of suicidal ideation. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) was used to measure the perceived social support received by the respondent while the Spiritual Wellbeing Scale (SWBS) was used to measure the religious wellbeing (RWB), the existential wellbeing (EWB) and the overall score of spiritual wellbeing (SWB).ResultsThe study found that both RWB and EWB showed significant negative correlation with suicidal ideation. Similarly, support from family and friends also showed a negative correlation with suicidal ideation. Further analysis using multiple regressions showed that RWB and SWB, and family support predict suicidal ideation in adolescents.ConclusionSpiritual wellbeing in combination with family support plays a major role in predicting suicidal ideation. Therefore, intervention for encompassing spirituality and family support may contribute to a more positive outcome in suicidal adolescents.
Highlights
The high number of adolescents and young adults harbouring suicidal ideation, as reported by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, is alarming
In realizing that there is a need to obtain a better understanding about the association of these two factors on suicidal ideation among local adolescents, this study aims to find out the correlation and to determine the influences of these two protective factors - social support and spiritual wellbeing on suicide ideation among marginalized adolescents in Malaysia
Demography A total of 176 adolescents who lived in the city with a family income below RM3000 and aged from 12 to 19 were involved in this study
Summary
The high number of adolescents and young adults harbouring suicidal ideation, as reported by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, is alarming. This cross-sectional study aims to examine the association between social support and spiritual wellbeing in predicting suicidal ideation among Malaysian adolescents. Malaysia was reported as one of the countries with the lowest completed suicide rate (0.6 per 100,000 persons) [2], the prevalence of suicidal behaviour among adolescents is alarming. A higher number of cases has been found for suicidal ideation compared to complete suicide This statement is supported by a survey carried out by the Malaysian Ministry of Health, which found that 6.3% of people aged 16–19 and 20–24 have the highest suicidal ideation [5]. The shared sentiment of shame further reinforces the culture of stigmatization against suicide [7]
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