Psychological Risk and Protective Factors for Suicidal Ideation: A Study in an Adolescent Sample in an Insular Context

Abstract

Objectives Adolescents are at risk of suicide. As suicide is a multifactorial process, risk and protective factors are relevant constructs for suicide prediction. This study explored the effects of risk and protective factors on suicidal ideation in adolescents on the island of São Miguel (Azores). Methods A sample of 750 adolescents (male: n=358; 47.7%; mean age=14.67 years; standard deviation=1.85 years) from the island of São Miguel (Azores) completed several measures related to suicidal ideation and associated factors. Using a cross-sectional design, this study conducted descriptive, correlational, predictive, mediation, and moderation analyses. Results Adolescents generally displayed high levels of risk and protective factors; an indicative proportion exhibited significant suicidal ideation with females presenting the greatest vulnerability. Furthermore, the results highlight that depression is the best predictor of suicidal ideation, however, the association between these variables is mediated. Conclusion The data corroborate that the suicidal reality of adolescents in the Autonomous Region of the Azores is worrisome. Having substantiated the complexity of the suicidal context in young people in the present research, the need to continue studying risk/protective factors in this area is supported.

The Positive and Negative Suicidal Ideation Inventory among Portuguese Adolescents: Factor Structure and Gender Invariance

“…These results are particularly relevant as the accurate measurement of suicidal ideation in the studied population may be a valuable contribution to both prevention and remediation efforts in interventions with this population. Considering the impact suicidal ideation has in the context of Portuguese youth suicidality [10,12,45], it should be taken as a central variable in the conception of practical actions within this group, such as the development of clinical intervention programs and or/protocols, community interventions, health policies, or other means of intervention.…”

“…In Portugal, suicide is a public health problem, and adolescents are considered an at-risk group [9], particularly in the Autonomous Region of the Azores (ARA), where it has been shown that a relevant amount of young people exhibit suicidal ideation and/or self-harm [10,11], as well as associated risk factors [12]. Therefore, data show that the Portuguese suicidal context is notable, with the context of the ARA being particularly alarming regarding youth [13].…”

“…Although these are useful tools, these, and most other suicide assessment tools, share the limitation that they focus on suicide risk and ideation through measures of thoughts and actions related to an intention to die, neglecting protective factors. This is important in assessment because evidence suggests various interaction effects between risk and protective factors and demographic factors [12,16], and it is also important in clinical practice, as interventions must promote protective factors and reduce risk factors [17]. Although there are some measures of protective factors, such as the Reasons for Living Inventory [18][19][20], very few measures consider risk and protective factors simultaneously [21].…”