Investigating the Correlation Among Personality Traits, Familial Functioning, and Suicidal Thoughts Among University Students: A Descriptive Correlational Study

Suicide is a serious public health problem, especially among students as active members of the community. The present study aimed to determine the correlation among personality characteristics, family functioning, and suicidal ideation in students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran in 2018.

The population of this descriptive correlational study included all 675 students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, from whom 244 students were selected using stratified random sampling. The required data was collected using four questionnaires, including demographic characteristics, personality traits, family functioning, and Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI). To analyze data, we used multiple linear regression and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, version 22).

Examination of personality traits suggested that the correlation between psychosis and suicidal thoughts was positive and significant (P<0.05). The correlation coefficients between the components of extraversion-introversion, agreeability, and responsibility and suicidal ideation were negative and significant (P<0.05). There was also a positive and significant relationship between all components of family functioning and suicidal ideation (P<0.05).

Effective steps can be taken to prevent suicide among students through providing optimal psychological healthcare and periodic screening of students in terms of suicidal thoughts and mental disorders.