The Relationship between Self-Compassion, Self-Esteem and Suicidal Ideation among a Cohort of University Students

Abstract

Context: Self-compassion and self-esteem are positive personality traits that save us during life imperfection, so both can play a vital role in self-regulating behaviors to decrease suicidal ideation.

Aim:  Explore the relationship between self-compassion, self-esteem, and suicidal ideation among a cohort of university students. Methods: Cross-sectional research design was used. This study was conducted at Al Delta University for Science and Technology- College of Engineering and Oral and Dental Medicine, Dhakahlia Governorate, Egypt. A convenient sample of 249 undergraduate university students was recruited. Self-Administered Questionnaire, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), The Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form (SCS-SF), and The Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R).

Results: 14% of the studied sample reported that they frequently have suicidal thoughts, while 28.12% reported that they sometimes have a suicidal attempt. Suicidal behavior was inversely and highly significantly correlated with self-esteem (P-value < 0.03), and also self-compassion was inversely and significantly related to suicidal behavior (P-value < 0.02). In contrast, self-compassion and self-esteem were positively and highly significantly correlated (P-value <0.001). Additionally, the higher mean score for having self-esteem and self-compassion was among students who had a sleep regularly (18.38±9.94 and13.8±3.10 respectively), and the students who are doing physical activities had the highest mean score (26.88±7.06 and 21.24±11.1 respectively) with statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Less than half of the students had sometimes and frequently at other times thinking of suicide.  Self-esteem and self-compassion were significantly correlated, and suicidal behavior was significantly affected by students' self-esteem and self-compassion. The supportive resources through academic guidance and psychological counseling units that are staffed and supervised by psychologists, activating student extracurricular activities and sports clubs, will help enhance self-esteem and self-compassion and consequently minimize suicidal behaviors.