Abstract

Background: Suicidal ideation is a significant mental health concern among nursing students, who are exposed to high academic workloads, clinical stress, and occupational demands. Limited research exists on suicidal ideation, its influencing factors, and coping strategies in nursing student populations in India. Objectives: To assess suicidal ideation, influencing factors, and coping strategies among nursing students; and to examine their association with selected sociodemographic variables. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 nursing students from two nursing colleges in District Dehradun, Uttrakhand, selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected using a modified scale assessing suicidal ideation (14 items), influencing factors (30 items across five domains), and coping strategies (12 items). Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied for analysis using SPSS version 16.0. Results: Majority of nursing students (66.7%) had mild suicidal ideation, while 33.3% had moderate suicidal ideation. Psychological domain was the most common influencing factor (mean = 3.58). Most students (68.7%) adopted average-level coping strategies. Suicidal ideation showed significant association with year of study (p = 0.030). Coping strategies were significantly associated with educational status (p = 0.020) and father’s occupational status (p = 0.016). Conclusion: Suicidal ideation is prevalent among nursing students, with psychological stressors being the predominant influencing factor. Coping strategies are largely inadequate. Targeted mental health interventions and enhanced nursing curricula addressing suicidal ideation prevention are warranted.

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