Resumen

MUNOZ M, Jerson et al. Suicidal ideation and family cohesion in pre-college students between 15 to 24 years old, Lima 2005. Rev. perú. med. exp. salud publica [online]. 2006, vol.23, n.4, pp.239-246. ISSN 1726-4634.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and its association with very low- and very high- family cohesion levels in 15- to 24- year old students from CEPUSM (Spanish initials for San Marcos University Pre-College Center). Materials and methods: Cross-sectional and analytical study in which a self-administered questionnaire comprising the family cohesion subscale from the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III instrument was together with five questions with respect to suicidal conduct from an adequately adapted Mental Health Questionnaire. 1500 students were randomly selected from a total 4500- student population at CEPUSM, and they were divided in groups: teenagers (15 to 19 years old), and young adults (20 to 24 years old). Results: Life prevalence: 48% of all subjects assessed had a passive desire for dying, 30% had suicidal ideation, 15% actually elaborated a suicidal plan, and had attempted suicide. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was 15% during the last year and 6% during the last month. Families, according to their cohesion levels, were classified as disengaged (22%), separated (32%), connected (31%), and enmeshed (15%). When associating suicidal ideation and disengaged family, a 2,17 odds ratio (OR) was found confidence interval (CI): 1,26-3,74) in teenagers and 1,35 (0,21-8,64) in young adults. Other risk factors were identified in both groups, such as family history of attempting suicide and living alone. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of suicidal ideation in 15- to 24- year old CEPUSM students, and, only in teenagers, this is associated with belonging families with low cohesion levels.

Palabras clave : Suicide; Family Relations; Mental health; Adolescent; Adults; Students.

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