ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND SUICIDAL IDEATION AMONG CANCER PATIENTS IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Suicidal ideation (SI) is a critical psychosocial concern among cancer patients, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where psychosocial oncology services remain limited. Anxiety and depression are common psychological responses to cancer diagnosis and treatment and have been consistently linked with suicidal ideation.

Objective: This study examined the associations between anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among cancer patients in Southwest Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was employed and 54 adult cancer patients with high risk for SI were recruited using multistage sampling approach. Data were collected with the Suicidal Ideation Attributes Scale (SIDAS) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Descriptive statistics, chi-square and correlational analyses were employed.  

Results: Participants had a mean age of 51.2 ± 12.27 years, with 77.8% female. Results indicated 14.8% of participants fell into the low-risk group, 63.0% were classified as moderate risk, and 22.2% were identified as high risk for SI. Also, 46.3%, 33.3%, 20.4% of participants were classified under normal, borderline and abnormal anxiety levels respectively. Similarly, depressive levels were categorised as the normal (66.7%), borderline (18.5%), and abnormal (14.8%). The findings reported a significant association between anxiety and SI ( χ²(df = 4, N = 54) = 16.27, p = .003) as well as significant association between depression and SI (χ²(df=4, N = 54) = 11.05, p = .026). A significant association between anxiety and depression on SI was also discovered as χ²(df=4, N = 54) = 14.55, p = .006.

Conclusion: Anxiety and depression are significantly associated with suicidal ideation among cancer patients in Southwest Nigeria. Routine distress screening and integrated psycho-oncological interventions are essential to mitigate suicidal risk and improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: Suicidal ideation, Cancer, Anxiety, Depression, Psycho-oncology, Nigeria