THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK According to Joiner (as cited by Anestis, Bagge, Tull, and Joiner, 2011), this theory states

that individuals with high levels of desire to take their lives away and the capability to do so are more likely to actually complete a suicide act. Joiner (as cited by Van Ordenet.al., 2008) argued that there are three factors involve in suicide: thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, and the acquired capability to act upon the suicidal ideation. Thwarted belongingness pertains to a sense on the part of the individual that he or she has no value, either because of the belief that no one truly cares or the people who do care can not relate to his or her predicament. This may be due to lack of connection and communication with other people. The need to belong is a basic human need and if not met can lead to social isolation , furthering the formation of suicidal ideations. Perceived burdensomeness pertains to the feeling of the individual that he or she is only a liability to others and that their contributions are of no help to others. Other factors that serve to increase suicidal ideation are depression and hopelessness. The last factor is the acquired capability of the individual to act on the suicidal thoughts. According to Joiner, for an individual to acquire the capability to do so requires repeated exposure of the painful act. In doing so, the individual eventually does not feel the pain anymore and the fear of dying also decreases. Guided by the above concepts, the researchers find the framework sufficient in explaining the problem of the study. First year college students would find it difficult to adjust in their new environment. Some may be able to find ways to cope with the new culture; others may find it difficult to fit in. Some students also take quite a time to find social support in their new environment. As the days pass, these students may lose hope due to lack of social support and may take in negative coping in dealing with their problems. By finding out early signs of students who exhibit suicidal ideations, the researchers would be able to discern the causes or origins of said behaviour. This will also give insight as to what strategies the researchers may use to lessen this negative behavior. This concept is now the core of the study and will serve as its framework.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Stress

Foreign Students

Suicidal Ideation

Academic Adjustment

Figure 1.Conceptual framework of the Effect of Stress and Academic Adjustment on the Suicidal Ideation of First Year College Students As illustrated in Figure 1, the stress and academic adjustment are all correlates of the suicidal ideation of the first year college students. The main focus of study is on how these factors affect the formation of suicidal ideation.

Sources: Anestis, M.D., Bagge, C.L., Tull, M.T., & Joiner, T.E. (2011).Clarifying the role of emotion dysregulation in the interpersonal-psychological theory of suicidal behavior in an undergraduate sample. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 45, 603-611. Van Orden, K.A., Witte, T.K., James, L.M., Castro, Y., Gordon, K.H., Braithwaite, S.R., Hollar, D.L., Joiner, T.E. (2008). Suicidal Ideation in College Students Varies Across Semesters: The Meditating Role of Belongingness.Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 38, 427-435.