Depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation are common internalizing problems during adolescence. Numerous studies have explored the role of certain demographic, social, and economic factors in their development in referred or non-referred adolescents, but not simultaneously in both groups. In this study, we examined the association between age, gender, parents’ educational level, and socioeconomic status (SES) and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in a referred group (n = 211) and a non-referred (n = 1401) group of adolescents. We also examined the moderating role that these factors play in the relationships between both internalizing problems. The results showed: higher levels of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in the referred group; an increase in both problems during early-to-middle adolescence in the non-referred group; an association between low SES and suicidal ideation in both groups; an association between low father’s education level and depressive symptoms in the non-referred group; and no gender differences in either of these two internalizing problems. The moderation analyses showed that age, in referred adolescents, and SES, in non-referred adolescents, moderated the relationship between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. This study contributes to the identification of groups of vulnerable adolescents that could constitute the target populations of preventive programs.

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This study tested an integrative model linking experiences of need frustration and need satisfaction with suicidal ideation through a risk-enhancing (via anxious-depressive symptoms) and a risk-reducing pathway (via positive cognitions) in adolescents. The generalizability of the model based on the clinical status of the participants was also explored. A matched sample of referred (n = 210) and non-referred (n = 210) adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years old completed self-report measures of psychological need-based experiences, suicidal ideation, positive cognitions, and anxious-depressive symptoms. Structural equation modeling was used to explore the proposed model. Mediation analysis showed that need frustration was positively associated with suicidal ideation through anxious-depressive symptoms, while need satisfaction was negatively associated with suicidal ideation through positive cognitions. Invariance analysis pointed to limited differences in the model associations as a function of clinical status. These initial findings suggest the relevance of consider need frustration and need satisfaction in explaining suicidal ideation. The integration of risk and protective factors and the study of the generalizability of the data across the clinical status of adolescents provide preliminary implications for the development of interventions to prevent suicidal ideation.