Cognitive distortions and risk for suicidal behaviors, considering Chilean and Colombian adolescents as sample: A descriptive-correlational study is conducted

Abstract

Objective: This paper aims to determine the relationship between cognitive distortions and risk for suicidal behaviors considering Chilean and Colombian adolescents as sample. Method: A descriptive-correlational, non-experimental and transversal study was conducted. The risk of suicide was assessed with screening scale of suicidality (scale of Okasha) and the cognitive distortions were determined through Automatic Thoughts Inventory by Ruiz and Lujan. Both of the tests were performed in Chilean (n = 200; from Alma Mater School) and Colombian adolescents as sample (n = 200; educational institution Santa Librada). These adolescents were between 13-18 years-old. This sample was selected through non-probabilistic intentional sample procedure, and the individuals were divided in two groups: one of them are at risk of suicide and the other without suicidal risk (control). A descriptive analysis of the sample, as well as a comparison of the cognitive distortions between groups was performed. Finally, inferential analysis of data is used to determine the relationship and the intensity between cognitive distortions and the risk for suicidal behaviors. Results: A significant relationship between the cognitive distortions and the suicide risk was found, and the following presented the highest intensity between Chilean and Colombian individuals: Filtration, Inter-pretation of Though, Polarized Though and Overgeneralization). Moreover, the relationship between the results in Chilean and Colombian adolescents was positive and strong. Conclusions: Results of this study will allow to prevent risk for suicidal behaviors in Chilean and Colombian adolescents, assessing these cognitive distortions, which make possible to conduct psychotherapeutic interventions significantly, reducing the risk for suicidal behaviors.