Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine the relative efficacies of two counselling
theories [Individual Psychology (IP) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)] in
reducing suicide ideation among regular undergraduate students of University of
Cape Coast. A mixed methods approach was used in which a quasi-experimental
research design, specifically, the pre-test, post-test and control group design was
combined with a qualitative phase. Thirty (30) undergraduate students from four
colleges in the University were non-randomly assigned to two treatment groups and
one control group for the quantitative data using Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation,
while eight were interviewed for the qualitative data. Descriptive statistics (frequency
and percentage) and inferential statistics (dependent samples t-test, independent
samples t-test and MANOVA) were used to analyse the quantitative data at the alpha
level of .05. The qualitative data were analysed thematically. The results revealed
that undergraduate students of the University of Cape Coast only rarely and
intermittently experience suicide ideation. Also, gender, age, level of study and
college of students influenced suicide ideation among undergraduate students of the
University. Furthermore, the results revealed that both IP and CBT are effective in
reducing suicide ideation among undergraduate students, with CBT being slightly
more effective than IP. The study recommended that regular screening exercises in
suicide ideation be made part of the University’s programme to be organised by the
Counselling Center in order to create awareness and help students who are suicidally
ideated to reduce or eliminate this problem. The findings of the study can also be
shared with the appropriate authorities (the University, counsellors and other
stakeholders) to alert and assure them of the availability of therapies that can be used
to reduce suicide ideation
