Effects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on Suicidal Ideation Among Undergraduate Students of the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Suicidal ideation has emerged as a significant mental health concern among undergraduate students, with increasing evidence suggesting that academic, social, and financial pressures contribute to suicidal thoughts and behaviours. This study examined the effects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) on suicidal ideation among undergraduate students of the Federal University of Education, Pankshin, Plateau State, Nigeria. A true experimental pre-test, post-test control group design was adopted. Twenty undergraduate students identified with suicidal ideation using the Suicidal Ideation Identification Questionnaire (SIIQ) were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received a structured CBT intervention, while the control group received no treatment. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at the 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that suicidal ideation was prevalent among the participants, with the intensity of suicidal thoughts recording the highest prevalence (80%), followed by thoughts of death (75%), suicidal wishes (65%), and suicidal plans (65%), while suicidal intent (20%) recorded the lowest prevalence. The study further revealed that CBT had a significant effect on reducing thoughts of death (p = .040) and suicidal wishes (p = .011). However, CBT did not produce significant effects on suicidal plans (p = .247), suicidal intent (p = .475), or the intensity of suicidal thoughts (p = .092). The study concluded that CBT is effective in reducing the early cognitive manifestations of suicidal ideation among undergraduate students. It was therefore recommended that CBT-based interventions be incorporated into university counselling programmes to promote students' mental health and wellbeing.