From Trauma to Suicidal Thoughts: Understanding Adolescent Vulnerability

Abstract

Background: Adolescent suicidal ideation is an emerging mental health concern in sub-Saharan Africa, where multiple psychosocial stressors heighten vulnerability.
Objective: Therefore, this study examined the contribution of traumatic experiences to suicidal ideation among in-school adolescents.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to survey 355 senior high school students (male and female) across six secondary schools, selected through stratified random sampling from the Lagos State Schools. Descriptive statistics and regression modeling were applied at a 0.05 significance level.
Results: Academic stress emerged as the most severe traumatic experience among participants (M = 1.27, SD = 0.93), with notably higher prevalence observed in private school settings compared to public institutions. Other adverse experiences, including physical abuse (M = 0.65, SD = 0.96), sexual abuse (M = 0.40, SD = 0.77), and bereavement (M = 0.57, SD = 0.77), were reported at comparatively mild levels across the sample. Suicidal ideation indicators were generally low to mild overall, with the highest endorsement rates observed for hopelessness (M = 0.68) and farewell wishes (M = 0.82). Regression analysis confirmed that cumulative traumatic experiences significantly predicted suicidal ideation outcomes (R = 0.337, R² = 0.113, F(1, 319) = 40.819, p < 0.001), collectively explaining 11.3% of the variance in suicidal thoughts. These findings underscore the substantial role of academic pressure in youth mental health outcomes.
Conclusions: Traumatic experiences, though modest in effect, remain significant predictors of adolescent suicidality. Preventive strategies should prioritize trauma-informed care, early detection of abuse and stress in schools, and strengthened psychosocial support through families, NGOs, and faith-based organizations.