Exposure to violence and suicide risk in colombian adolescents

Abstract

The association between suicide risk and exposure to violence in the home, street, school, television in adolescents of Santa Marta (Colombia) was analyzed. A sample of 210 adolescents aged 12–19 years (M = 14.6 SD = 1.38) was evaluated. The subjects responded to the Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale and the Violence Exposure Scale. We found a bivariate association with exposure to violence in the home. In an adjusted logistic regression model the support of parents / siblings / friends (OR = 0.213 CI 95% = 0.70-0649) is a protective factor for suicidal risk, while female gender (OR = 5.397 95% CI = 2.541-11.460), exposure to violence in the home (OR = 2.344, 95% CI = 1.161-4.298) and difficulties in entering education (OR = 3.257, 95% CI = 1013-10.467) are risk factors. It is concluded that adolescent women, victims of domestic violence and with problems to access basic education are more likely to present suicidal risk.