Food Insecurity and Suicidal Tendencies: Comparative Study between Employed and Unemployed Graduates in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Abstract

The high rate of graduate unemployment in Ghana has become a thorny issue that calls for remedial measures because of the psychosocial consequences it comes with. This study compared the differences in food insecurity and suicidal tendencies between employed and unemployed graduates in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana. The impact of years of unemployment on suicidal tendencies and food insecurity was also examined. One hundred and sixty (160) graduates in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana were conveniently selected to complete the Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale and the Household Food Security Scale. The MANOVA and the Pearson r were used for data analysis. Results indicated higher levels of food insecurity and suicidal tendencies among unemployed graduates compared to employed graduates. There was a definite relationship between food insecurity and suicidal tendencies as well as years of unemployment and suicidal tendencies. There was, however, no significant relationship between years of unemployment and food insecurity. To this end, there is the need to seek an immediate solution to graduate unemployment since it is associated with high public health issues such as food insecurity and suicidal tendencies.