Emotion Dysregulation Associated with Suicide Risk in Adolescent University Students: A Case Study of USIU-Africa

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Date

2023

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

African Journal of Clinical Psychology

Abstract

Suicide is a major mental health burden, and Africa has the highest burden globally. Adolescence is a turbulent developmental period with multiple transitions, growth, maturation, and emotional lability. Emotional dysregulation is a transdiagnostic risk factor associated with suicide risk. The current study examined associations between emotion dysregulation and suicide risk in a community sample of adolescents using descriptive-analytic, cross-sectional design. The study participants were 352 adolescents aged 18 and 19 and enrolled at the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa). The instruments used were the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERs) and The Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale Short Version (C-SSRS). Results indicated that 75.8% had low risk, 2% had moderate risk, and 22.5% had a high risk of suicide. In addition, participants with high suicidal risk had significantly higher emotion regulation difficulties than those with low suicidal risk, p = 0.003. In conclusion, emotion dysregulation is associated with suicide risk in adolescent university students.

Description

Journal Article

Keywords

Suicide, Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors, Suicide Risk, Adolescence, Emotion Dysregulation.

Citation

Nderitu, B. N., Kihara, M., & Brown, D. B. (2023). Emotion Dysregulation Associated with Suicide Risk in Adolescent University Students: A Case Study of USIU-Africa. African Journal of Clinical Psychology

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