Personality Trait, Drug use and Abuse as Predictors of Suicidal Intention Among Youths: A Focus for Psychotherapy

Abstract

The rate at which youths commit suicide and the number who attempt suicide is on the increase every day. Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting effects on the people left behind. This study investigates Personality Trait and Drug use and Abuse as predictors of suicidal ideation among adolescents in Makurdi Metropolis in Benue State, Nigeria, and makes suggestions for effective psychotherapeutic treatment of suicidal ideation among the youth. The study employed survey research design where 325 participants were randomly drawn from Makurdi Metropolis in Benue State through Stratified, Convenience and Simple Random Sampling Methods. Personality Trait Scale, Drug use and Abuse Scale, Bio data and Suicidal Ideation Scale were used for data collection.
Three hypotheses were tested using multiple regression and simple regression analyses. The result revealed a positive relationship between Personality Trait and suicidal intention among adolescents. Drug use and Abuse also shows significant influence on suicidal intention among the youths. There was a significant interactive influence of Personality Trait and Drug use and Abuse on suicide ideations among the adolescents.

Based on these findings, it was concluded that Personality Trait and Drug use and Abuse are predictors of suicidal ideation among youths in Makurdi Metropolis in Benue State, Nigeria. It is recommended that understanding personality traits of youths, type of substance used and abused can further help Clinicians during psychotherapeutic sessions with youths in solving problems of suicidal ideation. Parents and caregivers
should be enlightened on the behavioral and attitudinal signs to watch out for when their
wards are abusing drugs and also the danger of the use and abuse of drugs.