A Comparison of Suicidal Behaviors Among Middle and High School Students in Two Municipalities in Hidalgo, Mexico
چکیده
Introduction: Suicidal behaviors among adolescents are increasing globally, yet the differences between educational levels remain unclear, which hinders the design of specific prevention strategies. Objective: To compare suicidal behaviors (ideation, risk factors, and depression) between middle school and high school students in Pachuca and San Agustín Tlaxiaca, Hidalgo, Mexico. Methodology: A quantitative, cross-sectional, comparative, non-experimental study was conducted with 38 students (20 middle school students, 18 high school students) aged 14 to 18 years. Three instruments were applied: a test to assess the risk level of suicidal ideation and behavior, a risk factor guide, and the PHQ-9 depression questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Middle school students had a higher proportion of high risk for suicidal behaviors (30.00%) compared to high school students (5.56%). A high level of depression was found only in high school seniors (11.11%). Both groups showed similar proportions of high risk based on risk factors (25.00% in middle school and 22.22% in high school). A significant positive correlation (ρ = 0.52) was found between suicidal thoughts and risk factors (p < 0.05). The Mann-Whitney U test revealed no significant differences between groups. (U = 145.5; p = 0.312). Conclusions: Although no statistically significant differences were found between educational levels and the groups were confounded by institution, municipality, and age, a trend toward a higher proportion of high risk for suicidal behaviors was observed in middle school students and of high depression in high school students. These findings should be interpreted with caution and support the need for prevention programs tailored to each educational level, to be confirmed in studies with greater statistical power and adjustment for confounders.