Predictors of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms among adolescents in Chiapas, Mexico.

Germán Alejandro García Lara,Martín Cabrera Méndez,Oscar Cruz Pérez,Carlos Eduardo Pérez Jiménez,Soledad Hernández Solís,Jesús Ocaña Zúñiga

doi:10.1590/1413-81232018234.14492016

Germán Alejandro García Lara, Martín Cabrera Méndez + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232018234.14492016

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the presence of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms among adolescents in Chiapas, Mexico based on predictor variables. A cross-sectional study adopting an ex post facto design was conducted with a non-probability sample of 4,759 students of both sexes with an average age of 18.4 years and using the following tools: the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Roberts' Suicidal Ideation Scale, the Impulsiveness Scale (IS), and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The mean score obtained by the suicidal ideation scale was 0.2, which is lower than that reported by other studies, while the mean score for depressive symptoms was similar to those in the literature. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 7.8%, which is lower than reported in national and international studies. Multivariable logistic regression showed that impulsiveness (OR = 1.907) and depressive symptoms (OR = 9.006) lead to a twofold and ninefold increase in the likelihood of suicidal ideation, respectively. The findings also showed a strong association between suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms, showing that the latter is a predictor of suicidal ideation among adolescents.

Highlights

There are 11.4 million young people aged between 18 and 24 years[1] living in México, while in the State of Chiapas this number is approximately one million, 29% of whom are concentrated in five municipalities, including Tuxtla Gutiérrez[2].Studies show high levels of vulnerability and susceptibility to mental health problems among this group related to risky sexual behaviors, drug use[3], depression and self-harm, the latter of which is one of the main causes of death among young people.[4]The study of suicide, which is the second leading cause of mortality among the female population and the third among males aged between 10 and 24 years, is a complex and dynamic process[5]
With respect to measures of central tendency, the CES-D obtained a mean score of 10.3, which is similar to that reported by González et al.[40] in a study of preparatory school students in Mexico City (M = 9.5) and lower than that documented by Veytia et al.[41] in a study undertaken with adolescents aged between 15 and 19 years in the State of Mexico (M = 16.2 for women and M = 16.02 for men)
The mean score obtained by the suicidal ideation scale was 0.2, which is much lower than the scores reported by other studies conducted in different states[42,43,44]

Summary

Introduction

Studies show high levels of vulnerability and susceptibility to mental health problems among this group related to risky sexual behaviors, drug use[3], depression and self-harm, the latter of which is one of the main causes of death among young people.[4]. The study of suicide, which is the second leading cause of mortality among the female population and the third among males aged between 10 and 24 years, is a complex and dynamic process[5]. This problem accounts for 6% of deaths among this group and constitutes one of the most challenging public health problems[6,7,8]. Impulsivity and despair are factors that influence planning, intention and carrying out a suicide attempt[10,11]

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