Psychological and Family Factors Associated with Suicidal Ideation in Pre-Adolescents

Abstract

To assess the psychological and family factors associated with suicidal ideation in preadolescent children, we studied a sample of 361 students, average age 9 years old. Two groups were formed, on the basis of the presence (n = 34) or absence (n = 44) of suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was assessed with the Children’s Depression Inventory and the Children’s Depression Rating Scale-Revised. Depression, hopelessness, self-esteem, and perceived family environment were compared in both the suicidal ideation and the control groups. Students with suicidal ideation generally presented greater depressive symptoms and hopelessness, and lower self-esteem and family expressiveness, although there were differences both between sexes, and when the variable depression was controlled. Identifying these risk factors in pre-adolescents may have an impact on prevention of suicidal behavior at higher risk ages

Con el objetivo de evaluar factores psicológicos y familiares asociados a la ideación suicida en niños prepúberes, se ha utilizado una muestra de 361 escolares con una edad media de 9 años, a partir de la cual se han constituido 2 grupos en función de la presencia (n = 34) o ausencia de ideación suicida (n = 44). La ideación suicida se ha evaluado con el Children’s Depression Inventory y la Children’s Depression Rating Scale Revised. La depresión, la desesperanza, la autoestima y la percepción del clima familiar se han comparado en el grupo con ideación suicida y el grupo control. Los alumnos con ideación suicida presentan en general mayor sintomatología depresiva, mayor desesperanza y menor autoestima y expresividad familiar, aunque existen diferencias según sexo y depresión. La identificación de estos factores de riesgo en prepúberes puede ser importante en la prevención de la conducta suicida en edades de mayor vulnerabilidad