Depressive symptoms and automatic negative thoughts as predictors of suicidal ideation in Mexican adolescents

Abstract

Introduction. Since little is known about the factors associated with suicidal ideation in adolescents, identifying them is important for developing suitable preventive strategies. Objective. To analyze the variables associated with the presence of suicidal ideation, as well as the predictive power of depressive symptoms and negative automatic thoughts. Method. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 409 students between the ages of 15 and 19 randomly selected in a public school in the State of Mexico. An ad hoc questionnaire that gathered information on sociodemographic and psychological variables and substance use, the Depression Scale of the Center for Epidemiological Studies (CESD-R), the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire (ATQ-30), and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation (SSI) were administered. Results. From the total of the sample, 14.9% presented suicidal ideation. A positive, significant association was observed between the latter and gender, having divorced parents, professing Catholicism, using tobacco and drugs, and having experienced violence and anguish in the last semester, presenting depressive symptoms, negative automatic thoughts and having attempted suicide. Being a woman (OR = 2.55 [1.02, 6.38]), using drugs (OR = 3.44 [1.23, 9.57]), having probable depression (OR = 4.37 [1.68, 11.36]), experiencing negative thoughts (OR = 6.03 [2.40, 15.10]), and having attempted suicide (OR = 22.66 [1.58, 325.29]) predicted the appearance of suicidal ideas. Discussion and conclusion. Risk factors for suicidal ideation in adolescents have been identified and they must be taken into account in preventive programs.