Coping mechanisms as predictors of suicidal ideation among the medical students of Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the coping mechanisms as positive and negative predictors of suicidal ideation among medical students.

METHODS

This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted from January to October 2017, and comprised students aged 19-25 years selected from 3 public-sector medical colleges located in Gujrat and Lahore, both in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Multilevel mixed methods sampling was used. Two standardised scales were used to assess the suicidal ideation and coping mechanisms of the participants.

RESULTS

Of the 1200 subjects, 640(53%) were males and 560(47%) were females. Besides, 390(32%) subjects hailed from Gujrat and 810(68%) from Lahore. Self-distraction (p<0.05)), active coping (p<0.0001), use of emotional support (p<0.05), use of instrumental support (p<0.001) positive reframing (p<0.0001), planning (p<0.001), humour (p>0.05), acceptance (p<0.001) and religion (p<0.0001) were negative predictors of suicidal ideation whereas denial (p<0.0001), substance use (p<0.05), venting (p>0.05) and self-blame (p<0.0001) were positive predictors of suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSIONS

A psycho-educational programme must be introduced for medical students to enable them to adopt the right coping strategies in order to handle stressful situations.