Factors that influence suicide behaviours and tendencies amongst university undergraduates in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
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| Title: | Factors that influence suicide behaviours and tendencies amongst university undergraduates in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis. |
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| Authors: | Akinlotan, Oladapo (AUTHOR), Vidanage, Dinithi (AUTHOR), Ajibade, Benjamin (AUTHOR), Asamoah, Ebenezer (AUTHOR), Faleti, Daniel (AUTHOR), Udushirinwa, Christopher (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Mental Health. Jun2026, Vol. 35 Issue 3, p393-414. 22p. |
| Subjects: | Suicide risk factors, Risk assessment, Medical information storage & retrieval systems, Pearson correlation (Statistics), School environment, Suicidal ideation, T-test (Statistics), Stress management, Undergraduates, CINAHL database, Multiple regression analysis, Logistic regression analysis, Socioeconomic factors, Mental illness, Emotional intelligence, Meta-analysis, Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, Systematic reviews, MEDLINE, Thematic analysis, Suicide prevention, Analysis of variance, Academic achievement, Psychological stress, Helplessness (Psychology), Despair, Psychology of college students, Data analysis software, Counseling, Social support, Psychology information storage & retrieval systems, Regression analysis, Poverty, Psychological vulnerability, Psychosocial factors |
| Geographic Terms: | Nigeria |
| Abstract: | Background: Suicide is a major pressing public health concern, especially among young people in low-medium income countries like Nigeria and a major common cause of deaths among people aged 15–29 across the world. Aim: This study aims to identify the factors that influence suicide behaviours and tendencies amongst university undergraduates in Nigeria. Method: A systematic review of peer-reviewed primary studies followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO. Eight databases (African Journal Online, African Index Medicus, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO, APA PsycArticles and Psychology, Embase and Google Scholar) were searched for studies published between 2019 and 2025. A total of 31 studies were included after rigorous screening. Results: Thematic analysis identified three major themes and eleven sub-themes. These are academic factors (academic demands, academic stress, academic performance and academic environments), socioeconomic factors (family issues, parental problems, financial problems, media and internet) and psychological factors (mental illness, emotional intelligence, helplessness and hopelessness). Conclusion: Suicidal behaviours among Nigerian undergraduates arise from the combined effects of academic, socioeconomic and psychological stressors and vulnerabilities. Recommendations: A coordinated response, including university counselling and stress-management programmes, financial aid, family/community support, are needed to reduce student suicidality. PRSIMA/PROSPERO STATEMENT: This review has been conducted and reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42024591390). Date of registration: 18 September 2024. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Background: Suicide is a major pressing public health concern, especially among young people in low-medium income countries like Nigeria and a major common cause of deaths among people aged 15–29 across the world. Aim: This study aims to identify the factors that influence suicide behaviours and tendencies amongst university undergraduates in Nigeria. Method: A systematic review of peer-reviewed primary studies followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO. Eight databases (African Journal Online, African Index Medicus, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, PsycINFO, APA PsycArticles and Psychology, Embase and Google Scholar) were searched for studies published between 2019 and 2025. A total of 31 studies were included after rigorous screening. Results: Thematic analysis identified three major themes and eleven sub-themes. These are academic factors (academic demands, academic stress, academic performance and academic environments), socioeconomic factors (family issues, parental problems, financial problems, media and internet) and psychological factors (mental illness, emotional intelligence, helplessness and hopelessness). Conclusion: Suicidal behaviours among Nigerian undergraduates arise from the combined effects of academic, socioeconomic and psychological stressors and vulnerabilities. Recommendations: A coordinated response, including university counselling and stress-management programmes, financial aid, family/community support, are needed to reduce student suicidality. PRSIMA/PROSPERO STATEMENT: This review has been conducted and reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (Registration number: CRD42024591390). Date of registration: 18 September 2024. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 09638237 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/09638237.2026.2646295 |
