Cognitive Predictors of Suicidal Ideation in Ecuadorian Medical and Nursing Students: The Roles of Perceived Loneliness and Life Satisfaction

Abstract

Background: This study investigates the relationships between perceived loneliness, life satisfaction, and suicide ideation (si) in Ecuadorian medical and nursing students, aiming to identify cognitive predictors of si using structural equation modelling (sem). Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive, correlational and explanatory study was conducted with 618 medical and nursing students from four universities in Tungurahua, Ecuador. Results: The results indicate that si is moderately and positively associated with perceived loneliness (r= .581; p < .001), and moderately and negatively associated with life satisfaction (r= -.408; p < .001). Additionally, perceived loneliness and life satisfaction are slightly and negatively related. sem analysis showed that perceived loneliness (R2= .252) is a stronger predictor of si than life satisfaction (R2= .060), but their combined explanatory power is significant, accounting for 39.2% of the variance in si. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of perceived loneliness and life satisfaction as cognitive predictors of si among university students.