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

• Sergio Barroilhet ^[1] ; Rosemarie Fritsch ^[1] ; Viviana Guajardo ^[2] ; Vania Martínez ^[2] ; Paul Vöhringer ^[3] ; Ricardo Araya ^[4] ; Graciela Rojas ^[5]
  1. [1] Universidad de Los Andes

     Universidad de Los Andes

     Colombia

     
  2. [2] Universidad de Chile

     Universidad de Chile

     Santiago, Chile

     
  3. [3] Tufts University

     Tufts University

     City of Medford, Estados Unidos

     
  4. [4] University of Bristol

     University of Bristol

     Reino Unido

     
  5. [5] Universidad de Chile/Hospital Clínico Facultad de Medicina Departamento Psiquiatría y Salud Mental

  Mostrar afiliaciones +
• Localización: Revista Médica de Chile, ISSN-e 0034-9887, Vol. 140, Nº. 7, 2012, págs. 873-881
• Idioma: español
• Títulos paralelos:
  • Suicidal ideation, self-directed violence and depression among Chilean school adolescents
• Enlaces
  • Texto completo
• Resumen

  • 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.