Examining the Impact of Depression and Substance Use on Suicidal Ideation Among Secondary School Students in Awe Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
Abstract
This study investigated the individual and combined influence of depression and substance use on suicidal ideation among secondary school adolescents in Awe Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. A total of 275 students participated, and data were analyzed using simple and multiple linear regression techniques. Findings from the first hypothesis showed that substance use significantly influenced suicidal ideation among adolescents (R = .182; R2 = .033; F(1,273) = 9.401; p < .05). Substance use accounted for 3.3% of the variance in suicidal ideation, with a positive regression coefficient (? = .214; t = 3.066; p < .05), indicating that higher levels of substance use were associated with increased suicidal ideation. Results for the second hypothesis revealed that depression significantly predicted suicidal ideation (R = .223; R2 = .050; F(1,273) = 14.345; p < .05), explaining 5% of the variance. Depression also showed a positive and significant effect (? = .231; t = 3.787; p < .05), suggesting that students experiencing higher depressive symptoms were more likely to report suicidal thoughts. The combined analysis demonstrated that depression and substance use jointly exerted a significant influence on suicidal ideation (R = .294; R2 = .086; F(2,272) = 12.868; p < .05), accounting for 8.6% of the total variance. Both depression (? = .238; t = 3.978; p < .05) and substance use (? = .224; t = 2.297; p < .05) independently contributed to the prediction of suicidal ideation. Overall, the study concludes that both depression and substance use are significant risk factors for suicidal ideation among secondary school adolescents in Awe LGA. These findings underscore the need for targeted mental health interventions, early identification, and counseling services within schools to mitigate suicide risk among young people.
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