Citation

Barroilhet S, Fritsch R, Guajardo V, Martínez V, Vöhringer P, Araya R, Rojas G. Rev. Med. Chile 2012; 140(7): 873-881.

Vernacular Title

Ideas autolíticas, violencia autoinfligida, y síntomas depresivos en escolares chilenos.

Affiliation

Escuela de Psicología, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile, sbarroilhet@uandes.cl.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Sociedad Medica De Santiago)

DOI

10.1590/S0034-98872012000700007

PMID

23282699

Abstract

Background: Suicidal behaviors and depression are prevalent phenomena among adolescents, and are considered a public health problem. Aim: To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors and the relationship between both phenomena, in a representative sample of students from ninth grade in Santiago, Chile. Material and Methods: We recruited a probability sample of 2,597 adolescents who answered a questionnaire with questions about suicidal behavior and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Results: The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation and planning was 21 and 14%, respectively. The prevalence for the past two weeks was 6.7 and 4.4% for suicidal ideation and planning, respectively. Autolytic behaviors, once in lifetime and in the past week were referred by 26 and 4% of respondents, respectively. In one third of these, self-harm coincided with recent suicide ideation or planning. All levels of suicidal behavior were more frequently reported by women. Clinically significant depressive symptoms were present in 23.5% of adolescents. Females doubled male rates. Severe depressive symptoms were present in 9.4% of the sample. A higher level of suicidal behavior correlated with more severe forms of depression. Sixty percent of adolescents who reported recent self-harm, had clinically relevant depressive symptoms. Two thirds of them had severe symptoms. Conclusions: Suicidal behavior in Chilean adolescents is prevalent, and there is an association between this behavior and the level of depression. The school is a good place to identify and develop preventive measures for teenagers.

Language: es