THE ROLE OF MENTAL WELL-BEING, SPIRITUALITY, AND POSITIVE THINKING IN REDUCING SUICIDE TENDENCY: A REGRESSION ANALYSIS

Abstract

Suicide is a growing public health concern, and understanding its psychological and emotional determinants is crucial for effective prevention strategies. The study explores the relationship between spirituality, well-being, positive thinking, and suicide tendency among university students. A sample of 490 students, with an equal number of male and female participants, was selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through standardized psychological scales, including the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (MAST) to assess suicide tendencies, the Positive Thinking Scale (PTS) to measure optimism and constructive thought patterns, the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) to evaluate overall mental well-being, and the Daily Spiritual Experience Scale (DSES) to assess the role of spirituality in daily life. Regression analysis showed that mental well-being and spirituality significantly reduce suicide tendency. A one-unit increase in well-being led to a 0.77-unit reduction (p = 0.00), while spirituality led to a 0.26-unit reduction (p = 0.00). Positive thinking showed a 0.21-unit reduction but was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Together, these variables accounted for 29% of the variation in suicide tendency, highlighting their importance in mental health outcomes. The findings align with existing literature, emphasizing the protective role of mental well-being and spirituality in reducing suicidal ideation. The study underscores the need for mental health interventions incorporating spirituality, positive psychology, and well-being strategies to mitigate suicide risk among young adults.

Keywords: Spirituality; Well-being; Positive Thinking; Suicide Tendency; Mental Health