Citation

Duarté-Vélez Y, Jones RN, Spirito A. Arch. Suicide Res. 2017; 22(4): 569-583.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811118.2017.1378142

PMID

29206570

PMCID

PMC6149522

Abstract

Puerto Rican adolescents, as well as other Latinos/as, have been identified at higher risk for suicidal ideation and attempts compared to other ethnic groups. However, research designed to better understand suicidality among Puerto Rican adolescents is rare.
OBJECTIVE: A socio-cognitive vulnerability model of suicidal ideation was tested in adolescents living in Puerto Rico.
METHOD: Multiple group path analyses were performed to assess the effect of self-reported socio-environmental and vulnerability factors on suicidal ideation, by sex, in 233 students from the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
RESULTS: Overall, the model explained a large amount of the variance in suicidal ideation (r2 = .59 for females and r2 = .48 for males). Depressive symptoms had the strongest total effect on suicidal ideation for both sexes (r = .69 for females and r = .53 for males) and negative life events were the most salient socio-environmental factor. Hopelessness had a direct effect on suicidal ideation for males only. Externalizing behaviors had a direct effect on suicidal ideation for both males and females, but it was particularly strong for females.
CONCLUSION: Results support the mediating role of vulnerability factors and the differential importance of socio-environmental and vulnerability factors in understanding suicidal ideation among Puerto Rican adolescents. The relevance of exploring different developmental paths to suicidal ideation, separately by sex, is discussed.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Risk Factors; Female; Male; Socioeconomic Factors; Students; Self Concept; Adolescent; Depression; Adolescent Behavior; Ethnicity; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide, Attempted; Puerto Rico; suicidal ideation; Sexual Behavior; Environment; ethnic minorities; Latino/a adolescents; path analyses; socio-cognitive model