Self-Esteem, Social Support and Suicidal Tendencies Among Undergraduate Medical Students

Background: Self-esteem, social support, and suicidal tendencies are key psychosocial factors affecting undergraduate medical students' mental health. High self-esteem and strong social support from family, friends, and peers enhance psychological well-being and aid in managing academic and emotional stress. Conversely, low self-esteem and inadequate support increase the risks of depression, stress, and suicidal ideation. Medical students are particularly vulnerable due to academic pressures, clinical responsibilities, and the stigma associated with mental health issues. Both global and Indian studies report elevated levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidal ideation among medical students. Understanding how self-esteem and social support influence suicidal tendencies is essential for the development of effective mental health interventions. The objective is to evaluate self-esteem, social support, and suicidal tendencies; examine the mediating role of social support in the relationship between self-esteem and suicidal tendencies; and explore their combined effects. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 313 undergraduate medical students at Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, utilized the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale. Results: The majority of participants (mean age 19.44 ± 1.63 years) were female (67.1%), with 71.2% reporting low self-esteem and 63.3% indicating high social support, particularly from family. While 79.9% demonstrated low suicidal tendencies, 20.1% exhibited high tendencies. Correlational analysis revealed varied relationships: family support showed both positive and negative associations with suicidal tendencies; self-esteem was positively correlated with suicidal tendencies in groups with high social support. Support from family, friends, and others was negatively associated with self-esteem in moderate- and high-support groups. Regression analysis accounted for 7% of the variance in suicidal tendencies, with self-esteem emerging as the sole significant predictor (β = 0.28, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study underscores the significant relationship between self-esteem, social support, and suicidal tendencies. Low self-esteem is prevalent among medical students and serves as a predictor of suicidal vulnerability, even when high perceived support is present. Support from family and peers provides protective effects but has limited influence when self-worth is diminished. Additionally, social support partially mediates the relationship between self-esteem and suicidal tendencies, indicating complex individual and interpersonal dynamics. The findings highlight the necessity for targeted mental health interventions—including counselling, mentorship, peer support networks, stress management programs, and psychological assessments—to enhance self-esteem and resilience among medical students.

Keywords: Self-Esteem, Social Support, Suicidal Tendencies, Undergraduate Medical Students.