Suicide ideation in emerging adulthood: Contributions of depressive symptoms, religiosity, parenting styles and social support

Abstract

Suicide, especially among emerging adults, has continued to be a global phenomenon, demanding more in-depth empirical attention. Emerging adulthood is a probable suicidal ideation predisposing period that has received less scholarly attention. We examined the contributions of depression, religiosity, parenting styles, and social support to suicidal ideation among emerging adults. We conveniently sampled 1007 undergraduates comprising 496 (49.2 %) males and 511 (50.8 %) females whose ages ranged from 18 to 30 years with a mean age of 24 years (SD = 2.18). Results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that while depression significantly predicted suicidal ideation, preoccupation and conviction for religiosity did not; guidance and emotional involvement negatively predicted suicidal ideation. Parenting styles (mother and father) were not significant predictors of suicidal ideation. However, support from family, friends, and significant others negatively predicted suicidal ideation. We adopted the Three-Step Theory (3ST) to explain our findings that illustrate the need for government and educational institutions to make governance and educational curriculum less stressful and depressive such that the complimentary religious knowledge, parental teachings, and support from other family members, friends, and significant others can help improve abilities to achieve important (academic) life goals that promote quality of life and healthy living.