Clarifying the Roles of Hardiness and Hopelessness in Relation to Suicidal Ideation Among Malaysian Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Objective: Committing suicide is a growing issue across the globe, and it is essential to know the insights of the etiology of suicide. Therefore, we conducted this study to clarify the roles of hardiness and hopelessness in relation to suicidal ideation. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Study participants consisted of 500 (230 males and 270 females) Malaysian undergraduate students from two public universities during the fall semester 2014. All the respondents completed the Personal Views Survey, Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Results: Structural equation modeling indicated that undergraduate students with high level of hopelessness and low level of hardiness were more likely to report suicidal ideation. Hopelessness partially mediated the relationship between hardiness and suicidal ideation. Furthermore, hardiness moderated the relationship between hopelessness and suicidal ideation. Conclusion: These findings have enhanced the existing literature by clarifying the roles of hopelessness and hardiness in relation to suicidal ideation among undergraduate students.