Citation

Viñas F, Canals J, Gras ME, Ros C, Domènech-Llaberia E. Span. J. Psychol. 2002; 5(1): 20-28.

Affiliation

Dto. de Psicología, Universitat de Girona, Plaça Sant Domènech, 9, 17071-Girona, Spain. ferran.vinas@udg.es

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Complutense University of Madrid, Publisher Cambridge University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12025361

Abstract

To assess the psychological and family factors associated with suicidal ideation in pre-adolescent 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.

Language: en