The Relationships Between Loneliness, Parenting Styles, And Suicidal Behavior Among University Students

Abstract

This aim of this study was to examine the relationship between loneliness, parenting styles (i.e. authoritative, authoritarian, permissive), and suicidal behavior among university students. This study involved 150 respondents who were university students in Shah Alam. The instruments that have been used in this study were UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, 1978), Parental Authority Questionnaire (Buri, 1991), and The Scale for Suicidal Ideation (Beck, Kovacs & Weissman, 1979). The results found a significant relationship between loneliness and suicidal behavior. When loneliness level increases, the suicidal behavior among university students also increases. There was also a significant relationship between authoritarian parenting style, and suicidal behavior. This can be explained as authoritarian parenting style were positively correlated with suicidal behavior. A significant relationship between permissive parenting style and suicidal behavior was found in this study. High level of suicidal behavior can be explained as the result of permissive parenting style. However, no significant correlation was found between authoritative parenting style and suicidal behavior.