EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AS A PREDICTOR OF SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG UNDERGRADUATES PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN ANAMBRA STATE.

Abstract

This study investigated emotional intelligence and suicidal ideation among undergraduates in public universities in Anambra state. The aim of the study was to examine the predictive value of emotional intelligence on suicidal ideation of university students in Anambra state. The study was guided by two research questions and two null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted a correlational research design. The population of the study comprised 54,998 undergraduates from public universities in Anambra state. The sample consisted of 397 (167 males and 230 females) respondents. Proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select the sample. Two instruments used for data collection were Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS) developed by Shutte et al (1993) and Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (SIQ) by Joiner et al (1997). The instruments were validated and the reliability established using Cronbach Alpha. The computation yielded coefficient values of 0.86 for EIS and 0.79 for SIQ. The instruments were validated and the reliability established using Cronbach Alpha. The computation yielded coefficient values of 0.86 for EIS and 0.79 for SIQ.  Simple Linear regression was used for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that emotional intelligence had a moderate negative predictive value for suicidal ideation of university students. In addition, the results showed that emotional intelligence had a negative predictive value for suicidal ideation of male and female undergraduates in public universities in Anambra state. Based on the findings, it was recommended that university management should organize workshops or seminars that teach emotional intelligence skills such as emotional awareness, self-regulation, empathy and interpersonal communication.