Understanding Suicidal Ideation in Latino/a Adolescents Living in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Puerto Rican adolescents, as well as other Latinos/as, have been identified at higher risk for suicidal ideation and attempts compared to other ethnic groups. However, research designed to better understand suicidality among Puerto Rican adolescents is rare. Objective: A socio-cognitive vulnerability model of suicidal ideation was tested in adolescents living in Puerto Rico. Method: Multiple group path analyses were performed to assess the effect of self-reported socio-environmental and vulnerability factors on suicidal ideation, by sex, in 233 students from the metropolitan area of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Results: Overall, the model explained a large amount of the variance in suicidal ideation (r² = .59 for females and r2 = .48 for males). Depressive symptoms had the strongest total effect on suicidal ideation for both sexes (r = .69 for females and r = .53 for males) and negative life events were the most salient socio-environmental factor. Hopelessness had a direct effect on suicidal ideation for males only. Externalizing behaviors had a direct effect on suicidal ideation for both males and females, but it was particularly strong for females. Conclusion: Results support the mediating role of vulnerability factors and the differential importance of socio-environmental and vulnerability factors in understanding suicidal ideation among Puerto Rican adolescents. The relevance of exploring different developmental paths to suicidal ideation, separately by sex, is discussed.

Keywords:

• ethnic minorities
• Latino/a adolescents
• path analyses
• socio-cognitive model
• suicidal ideation

The primary author wish to acknowledge the mentorship of Jeannette Rosselló and Guillermo Bernal at the time this study was conducted as well as the support of Eduardo Cumba in the recruitment, data entry, and overall study management.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Mental Health [Grant Number F31 MH12708,K23 MH097772] and the Institute for Pysycological Research of the University of Puerto Rico.

Notes on contributors

Yovanska Duarté-Vélez

Yovanska Duarté Vélez, Institute for Psychological Research, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Richard N. Jones

Richard N. Jones, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.

Anthony Spirito

Anthony Spirito, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.