Psychosocial risk factors associated with suicide in youth and adolescents: A systematic review

Abstract

The phenomenon of suicide is a worldwide problem that has been increasing in the last decade with greater prevalence in the adolescent and young population, generating impact in different contexts such as family, social, economic, and educational, among others. That is why this systematic review focuses on identifying psychosocial factors associated with suicidal behavior in adolescents and young people, in publications published worldwide. This will allow us to recognize within these studies the coincidence of different aspects, within which the following psychosocial factors are highlighted: family, exposure to various forms of violence, risk behaviors, psychopathology, and negative emotional states. The bibliographic review carried out confirms the multifactorial dynamics of suicide attempts and completed suicides. Suicide, besides being a complex phenomenon to approach, has equally complex predictability. However, it is still possible to develop strategies to warn or prevent the behavior in a timely manner. Thus, the findings invite us to have a holistic view of the phenomenon and to aim from different angles to counteract the risk factors that predispose us to such behavior.

El fenómeno del suicidio es un problema mundial que ha ido en aumento en la última década con mayor prevalencia en la población adolescente y joven, generando impacto en diferentes contextos como el familiar, social, económico, educativo, entre otros. Es por ello que esta revisión sistemática se centra en identificar los factores psicosociales asociados a la conducta suicida en adolescentes y jóvenes, nos permitirá reconocer dentro de estos estudios la coincidencia de diferentes aspectos, dentro de los cuales se destacan los siguientes factores psicosociales: familia, exposición a diversas formas de violencia, conductas de riesgo, psicopatología y estados emocionales negativos. La revisión bibliográfica realizada confirma la dinámica multifactorial de los intentos de suicidio y los suicidios consumados. El suicidio, además de ser un fenómeno complejo de abordar, tiene una predictibilidad igualmente compleja. Sin embargo, aún es posible desarrollar estrategias para advertir o prevenir la conducta de manera oportuna. Así, los hallazgos nos invitan a tener una visión holística del fenómeno, para apuntar desde diferentes ángulos a contrarrestar los factores de riesgo que predisponen a dicha conducta.