Psychological and Family Factors Associated with Suicidal Ideation in Pre-Adolescents

To assess the psychological and family factors associated with suicidal ideation in preadolescent children, we studied a sample of 361 students, average age 9 years old. Twogroups 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 weredifferences 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

Con el objetivo de evaluar factores psicológicos y familiares asociados a la ideación suicida en niños prepúberes, se ha utilizado una muestra de 361 escolares con una edad media de 9 años, a partir de la cual se han constituido 2 grupos en función de la presencia (n = 34) o ausencia de ideación suicida (n = 44). La ideación suicida se ha evaluado con el Children’s Depression Inventory y la Children’s Depression Rating Scale Revised.La depresión, la desesperanza, la autoestima y la percepción del clima familiar se han comparado en el grupo con ideación suicida y el grupo control. Los alumnos con ideación suicida presentan en general mayor sintomatología depresiva, mayor desesperanza y menor autoestima y expresividad familiar, aunque existen diferencias según sexo ydepresión. La identificación de estos factores de riesgo en prepúberes puede ser importante en la prevención de la conducta suicida en edades de mayor vulnerabilidad