Efficacies of counselling theories in reducing suicide ideation among undergraduate students of University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the relative efficacies of two counselling theories [Individual Psychology (IP) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)] in reducing suicide ideation among regular undergraduate students of University of Cape Coast. A mixed methods approach was used in which a quasi-experimental research design, specifically, the pre-test, post-test and control group design was combined with a qualitative phase. Thirty (30) undergraduate students from four colleges in the University were non-randomly assigned to two treatment groups and one control group for the quantitative data using Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation, while eight were interviewed for the qualitative data. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (dependent samples t-test, independent samples t-test and MANOVA) were used to analyse the quantitative data at the alpha level of .05. The qualitative data were analysed thematically. The results revealed that undergraduate students of the University of Cape Coast only rarely and intermittently experience suicide ideation. Also, gender, age, level of study and college of students influenced suicide ideation among undergraduate students of the University. Furthermore, the results revealed that both IP and CBT are effective in reducing suicide ideation among undergraduate students, with CBT being slightly more effective than IP. The study recommended that regular screening exercises in suicide ideation be made part of the University’s programme to be organised by the Counselling Center in order to create awareness and help students who are suicidally ideated to reduce or eliminate this problem. The findings of the study can also be shared with the appropriate authorities (the University, counsellors and other stakeholders) to alert and assure them of the availability of therapies that can be used to reduce suicide ideation