Polydrug use and attempted suicide among Hispanic adolescents in Puerto Rico

Arch Suicide Res. 2011;15(2):151-9. doi: 10.1080/13811118.2011.565274.

Abstract

This study was aimed at examining the relationship between suicidal attempts, polydrug use, and depression in adolescents. A sample of 691 adolescents and their parents were interviewed. Subjects who met the criteria for depression and those who used alcohol were significantly more likely to be suicidal attempters (OR = 6.8, p < 0.001; OR = 7.5, p < 0.001). Polydrug users were significantly more likely to attempt suicide (OR = 8.8, p = 0.032). Adolescents with mothers who met the criteria for depression were more likely to report suicide attempts (OR = 2.4, p = 0.069). Health professionals need to screen for polydrug use and depression to prevent future suicidal behaviors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alcohol Drinking / adverse effects
  • Alcoholism / complications*
  • Alcoholism / epidemiology
  • Alcoholism / psychology
  • Child
  • Depression / complications*
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / psychology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Parents / psychology
  • Prevalence
  • Puerto Rico / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • Social Environment
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology
  • Suicide, Attempted / statistics & numerical data*