Defeat, Entrapment, Loneliness, Emotional Suppression, and Perfectionism as Predictors of Suicidal Ideation among Undergraduate Students in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined defeat, entrapment, loneliness, emotional suppression, and perfectionism as predictors of suicidal ideation among undergraduate students in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A total of 324 undergraduate students were selected using a multistage sampling technique from two tertiary institutions in Nsukka. Standardized instruments including the Defeat Scale, Entrapment Scale, UCLA Loneliness Scale, Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale, and Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation were used for data collection. Data were analysed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and multiple regression analysis at 0.05 level of significance. The results revealed significant positive relationships between defeat (r = 0.72), entrapment (r = 0.76), loneliness (r = 0.64), emotional suppression (r = 0.57), perfectionism (r = 0.51), and suicidal ideation among undergraduate students. The variables jointly accounted for 69% of the variance in suicidal ideation (R² = 0.69), indicating a strong combined predictive effect. Entrapment emerged as the strongest relative predictor (β = 0.41), followed by defeat (β = 0.34), loneliness (β = 0.28), emotional suppression (β = 0.21), and perfectionism (β = 0.17). The study concluded that suicidal ideation among undergraduates is significantly influenced by multiple psychological risk factors. It was recommended that universities strengthen counselling services, emotional regulation training, and anti-perfectionism interventions to reduce suicidal ideation among students.