PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

In response to the high rates of suicide instances among the people of Malaysian Indian ethnicity, a mixed-methods approach was employed to examine the relationship between alienation and suicide ideation among this segment of Malaysian society. A total of 234 Malaysian Indians aged 20 – 40 were recruited for this study. Dean’s alienation scale was used and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants. The qualitative data was thematically analysed and was used for explanatory purposes. A correlation analysis showed that powerlessness and normlessness had a significant positive correlation to suicide ideation. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis, however, showed that powerlessness appeared to be the strongest predictor in explaining suicide ideation, followed by age and income level. From a social perspective, the qualitative data revealed financial hardship and interpersonal comparison and from a cultural perspective; coping with pride, mental health and horoscope belief, contributed to a feeling of powerlessness. It is recommended that in future studies, researchers take into account the social and cultural dimensions when considering suicide prevention strategies.