Psychosocial Correlates of Suicidal Behavior among Adolescents under Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Aguascalientes, Mexico: A Cross-Sectional Population Survey

Abstract

Background: Suicide and suicidal behaviors were already a global public health problem, producing preventable injuries and deaths. This issue may worsen due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may differentially affect vulnerable groups in the population, including children, adolescents, and young adults. The current study evaluated the association of affective variables (depression, hopelessness, and anxiety), drug use (alcohol, tobacco, and others), emotional intelligence, and attachment with suicidal behaviors. Methods: A state-wide survey included 8033 students (51% female, 49% male; mean age of 16 years) from science and technology high-schools using a standardized questionnaire that was distributed online. Multinomial logistic regression models tested associations between suicidal behaviors and several covariates. The analyses accommodated the complex structure of the sample. Results: Approximately 21% of all students reported a suicidal behavior (11% with a low-lethality suicide attempt, 6% with self-injuries, and 4% with a high-lethality suicide attempt). Variables associated with higher odds of suicidal behavior included: female sex, depression, hopelessness, anxiety, alcohol and tobacco use, childhood trauma, and having to self-rely as issues affecting attachment, and low self-esteem. Security of attachment was associated with lower odds of suicidal behavior. Conclusions: The complexity of suicidal behavior makes it clear that comprehensive programs need to be implemented.

Comparison of suicide attempts among nationally representative samples of Mexican adolescents 12 months before and after the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic

“…( Dubé et al, 2021 , Rockstroh et al, 2021 , Romero-Martínez et al, 2019 , Romero-Martínez et al, 2021 , Valdez-Santiago et al, 2021 , Xiong et al, 2020 , Gutiérrez-García et al, 2017 , Hermosillo-de la Torre et al, 2021 , Instituto Nacional de Estadística Geografía e Informática defunciones por suicidio por entidad federativa y grupos de edad según sexo 2010-2019 2021 , Instituto Nacional de Estadística Geografía e Informática. Encuesta Nacional de Ocupación y Empleo 2021 )…”

The Impact of COVID on Adolescent Mental Health, Self-Harm and Suicide: How Can Primary Care Provider Respond? A Position Paper of the European Academy of Pediatrics

“…This has been confirmed over the next months until the middle of 2021 ( 18 – 23 ). Symptoms such as increased depression and anxiety are the more common reported issues, but an extremely worrying observation is a rise in suicide attempts, which is confirmed in anecdotal observations as well as preliminary investigations ( 19 , 20 , 24 – 29 ). Despite the publication of a recent non peer-reviewed study which suggests no raise in death by suicide among UK adolescents ( 30 ), it is presently still not possible to assess the impact of COVID on deaths by suicide among adolescents in Europe.…”

A narrative review into the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on senior high school adolescent mental health

“…Although not statistically significant, about one in five high school teenagers commit suicide behaviors, including self‐harm and suicide attempts, that are not and endanger their lives (Hermosillo‐De‐la‐torre et al, 2021 ). Female adolescents are more likely to have suicidal ideation and suicide attempted than males (T. Hou, Mao, et al, 2021 ).…”