Association between suicidal behavior and symptoms of other mental health problems in Mexican adolescents

Gac Med Mex. 2024;160(1):32-38. doi: 10.24875/GMM.M24000855.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Background: Suicidal behavior in adolescents is a growing public health problem. Knowing its risk factors is key for reducing it.

Objective: To identify the relationship between two suicidal behaviors (ideation and attempt) and eight mental health problems (MHPs) in Mexican adolescents.

Material and methods: Through an online survey of adolescent students from 20 states, the following information was screened: symptomatology of six MHPs (affective problems/depression, behavioral problems, somatic problems, inattention and hyperactivity problems, oppositional defiant problems and anxiety problems) and suicidal behavior (suicidal ideation and suicide attempts). MHP and suicidal behavior frequencies and percentages were analyzed, and associations were sought using binary logistic regression.

Results: Six-thousand seven hundred sixty-six adolescents completed the survey, out of whom 61.02% were females, with ages ranging between 11 and 19 years (16.38 ± 1.33); 10% reported suicidal behavior, and between 3 and 5%, MHPs. The predictors (χ2(8) = 387.13, p < 0.001) of suicidal behavior were affective problems/depression, behavioral problems, somatic problems, oppositional defiant problems and anxiety problems.

Conclusion: Five mental health problems increased the risk of reporting suicidal behaviors.

Antecedentes: Las conductas suicidas en adolescentes son un problema de salud pública que va en aumento. Conocer sus factores de riesgo es clave para reducirlas.

Objetivo: Identificar la relación entre dos conductas suicidas (ideación e intento) y ocho problemas de salud mental (PSM) en adolescentes mexicanos.

Material y métodos: Mediante una encuesta en línea a adolescentes escolarizados de 20 estados, se tamizó la siguiente información: sintomatología de seis PSM (problemas afectivos/depresión, problemas conductuales, problemas somáticos, problemas de inatención e hiperactividad, problemas oposicionistas desafianes y problemas de ansiedad) y conducta suicida (ideación e intentos de suicidio). Se analizaron frecuencias y porcentajes y se indagó asociación mediante regresión logística binaria.

Resultados: Completaron la encuesta 6766 adolescentes entre 11 y 19 años (16.38 ± 1.33), 61.02 % del sexo femenino. El 10 % reportó conducta suicida y entre 3 y 5 %, PSM. Los factores predictivos (χ2(8) = 387.13, p < 0.001) de la conducta suicida fueron problemas afectivos/depresión, problemas conductuales, problemas somáticos, problemas oposicionistas desafiantes y problemas de ansiedad.

Conclusión: Cinco problemas de salud mental incrementaron el riesgo de reportar conductas suicidas.

Keywords: Adolescent; Adolescente. Factores de riesgo. Ideación suicida. Intento de suicidio. México. Salud mental; Mental health; Mexico; Risk factors; Suicidal ideation; Suicide attempt.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders* / epidemiology
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Suicidal Ideation*
  • Suicide, Attempted* / psychology
  • Suicide, Attempted* / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult