Diseño y validación de una escala para evaluar el Riesgo Suicida (ERS) en adolescentes colombianos

Psychometric properties of the Alexian Brother Urge to Self-Injure (ABUSI) Spanish version for adolescents

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Alexian Brother Urge to Self-Injure (ABUSI) in its Spanish version for Colombian adolescents. This instrument was created to measure cognitive and emotional aspects of the urge to self-injure by assessing the frequency, the urge, thoughts associated with time and place, the capacity for resistance, and thoughts associated with the urge to self-injure.

Method

A total of 752 preadolescents and adolescents between 10 and 18 years of age, with a mean of 15.3 years (SD = 1.97), participated. The instruments used were The Alexian Brother Urge to Self-Injure ABUSI, ERS Suicide Risk Scale, Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale, and the Zimet The MSPSS Perceived Social Support Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis, inter-test correlations, to estimate cut-off point discriminant validity Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) and to determine convergent validity, a Pearson's coincidence analysis was performed between the ABUSI total score and the ERS Suicide Risk Scale, the Plutchik's Suicide Risk Scale and Zimet's Perceived Social Support Scale assessments.

Results

The presence of a unidimensional model of the instrument is confirmed with adequate fit, reliability, and concurrent validity indices. The high score classification was determined from six (6) points for the total of the scale. These results show that ABUSI is a valid and reliable tool for the clinical assessment of self-injurious behavior in adolescents and preadolescents.

Mental health, suicide attempt, and family function for adolescents' primary health care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The study's purpose was to identify associations between mental health risk, suicide attempts, and family function.   Methods: A correlational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of adolescents in the last grade of secondary school to establish the association between mental health risk, suicide attempt, and family functionality. The instruments used were the self-report questionnaire, the suicide risk assessment scale, and the family APGAR. Data analysis was performed using the artificial intelligence algorithm (gower clustering).  Results: 246 adolescents responded to the three instruments, which made it possible to select those with correlations of sensitive interest and, based on these, an intervention plan. Psychological distress was found in 28%, psychotic symptoms in 85%, and problematic alcohol use in 9%. Good family functioning was identified in 34% and some type of family dysfunction in 66%. In terms of suicide risk, there was a low suicide risk of 74%, 24% medium risk, and 2% high risk. It could be shown that there is a correlation in a group of 15% of the respondents.  Conclusions: The risk of suffering mental health deterioration and the suicide risk, during this pandemic period, seems to be related to family functionality.

Mental health, suicide attempt, and family function for adolescents' primary health care during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: The study's purpose was to identify associations between mental health risk, suicide attempts, and family function.   Methods: A correlational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of adolescents in the last grade of secondary school to establish the association between mental health risk, suicide attempt, and family functionality. The instruments used were the self-report questionnaire, the suicide risk assessment scale, and the family APGAR. Data analysis was performed using the artificial intelligence algorithm (gower clustering).  Results: 246 adolescents responded to the three instruments, which made it possible to select those with correlations of sensitive interest and, based on these, an intervention plan. Psychological distress was found in 28%, psychotic symptoms in 85%, and problematic alcohol use in 9%. Good family functioning was identified in 34% and some type of family dysfunction in 66%. In terms of suicide risk, there was a low suicide risk of 74%, 24% medium risk, and 2% high risk. It could be shown that there is a correlation in a group of 15% of the respondents.  Conclusions: The risk of suffering mental health deterioration and the suicide risk, during this pandemic period, seems to be related to family functionality.

Reduciendo la ideación suicida en adolescentes con terapia de perspectiva temporal. Un estudio experimental

El suicidio es una de las principales causas de muerte en el mundo, problema que en los últimos años ha venido en aumento sostenido para la población adolescente. En particular, la ideación suicida se ha relacionado fuertemente con el intento suicida, un predictor directo del suicidio; sin embargo, se encuentran escasas estrategias para disminuir la ideación suicida diseñadas principalmente para la depresión. Considerando las posibilidades terapéuticas de la teoría de Zimbardo sobre la perspectiva temporal equilibrada, en el presente estudio se diseñó una intervención breve basada en la perspectiva del tiempo para adolescentes con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de una intervención de perspectiva temporal en la modificación de indicadores de ideación y conducta suicida en adolescentes. De este modo, se realizó un estudio experimental, donde 82 participantes de 15 a 19 años fueron asignados a una intervención experimental o a un grupo control. Los participantes del grupo experimental (n = 43) participaron durante 8 sesiones del programa de intervención de perspectiva del tiempo denominado “Serenamente”. Las mediciones pre-post se realizaron sobre las variables de ideación suicida (Okasha), el perfil temporal (ZTPI) y la calidad de vida (SF-36). Como resultados, se encontró que la intervención reduce la ideación suicida en un 41 %; y que, posiblemente, mejora la salud física de quienes reciben este tipo de tratamiento. Los resultados son un avance promisorio con fines preventivos en contextos educativos y de salud.