Background: Suicide and suicidal behaviors were already a global public health problem, producing preventable injuries and deaths. This issue may worsen due to the COVID-19 pandemic and may differentially affect vulnerable groups in the population, including children, adolescents, and young adults. The current study evaluated the association of affective variables (depression, hopelessness, and anxiety), drug use (alcohol, tobacco, and others), emotional intelligence, and attachment with suicidal behaviors. Methods: A state-wide survey included 8033 students (51% female, 49% male; mean age of 16 years) from science and technology high-schools using a standardized questionnaire that was distributed online. Multinomial logistic regression models tested associations between suicidal behaviors and several covariates. The analyses accommodated the complex structure of the sample. Results: Approximately 21% of all students reported a suicidal behavior (11% with a low-lethality suicide attempt, 6% with self-injuries, and 4% with a high-lethality suicide attempt). Variables associated with higher odds of suicidal behavior included: female sex, depression, hopelessness, anxiety, alcohol and tobacco use, childhood trauma, and having to self-rely as issues affecting attachment, and low self-esteem. Security of attachment was associated with lower odds of suicidal behavior. Conclusions: The complexity of suicidal behavior makes it clear that comprehensive programs need to be implemented.

La adolescencia es determinante para el desarrollo de un proyecto de vida y hábitos. Se ha observado que los adolescentes con inteligencia emocional muestran mejores habilidades de adaptación, bienestar y en la consecución de planes y metas. La asociación entre inteligencia emocional y el establecimiento de metas en esta etapa aún requiere investigarse, por ello, el objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar si la inteligencia emocional constituye un factor predictor para un eficaz establecimiento de metas en adolescentes y si hay diferencias entre hombres y mujeres, y entre adolescentes de distintas edades. Se evaluó a 670 estudiantes de nivel medio superior con edades de entre 15 y 17 años (58 % mujeres y 42 % hombres), a los cuales se les aplicó el inventario de autoconocimiento y establecimiento de metas, así como cuatro componentes del perfil de inteligencia emocional. Los datos se analizaron por medio de análisis t de Student, ANOVA simple, r de Pearson y regresión lineal. Los resultados indican que quienes presentan mayor inteligencia emocional cuentan con más habilidades para establecer metas. Las mujeres identifican mejor los obstáculos que les impiden lograr sus metas y son más empáticas, los hombres son más optimistas y expresan más sus emociones, y los adolescentes de mayor edad (17 años) están más dispuestos al logro que los más jóvenes. En conclusión, es posible diseñar estrategias para que los adolescentes mejoren su inteligencia emocional, pues esta es un factor importante para el establecimiento de metas y la construcción de un proyecto de vida.

The aim of this study is to measure frequency of recent suicide ideation and suicide attempts in life, comparing by sex and age, to describe the characteristics of the single/last suicide attempt in high school students. A cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample of public middle schools in 41 out of 46 municipalities of Guanajuato State, Mexico. 3249 Students participated (48.6% were male and 51.4% female), with mean age of 13 years. Results show that the occurrence of current suicidal ideation was 8.4% (n= 274), with a significantly higher proportion of women (x2= 4.22; gl= 1; p= 0.033). Frequency of suicide attempts was 12.4%. The most frequent methods often used were drug poisoning and not eating, to dying. The main reasons cited were family problems, feeling angry, feeling alone/sad/depressed, and lack of understanding in the family. There were statistical differences by sex.

México tiene el compromiso de mejorar la calidad de la educación superior, para lo cual se requiere un conocimiento global de la población de ese nivel y no enfocarse únicamente en aspectos académicos. Por ello es importante reconocer que los aspectos psicosociales, de bienestar, de salud y de satisfacción pueden impactar en la trayectoria de los universitarios. Esta investigación se realizó para conocer cómo los estudiantes experimentan su paso por la universidad, se realizó un estudio cualitativo de diseño fenomenológico utilizando la técnica de grupos focales. Participaron 54 estudiantes de diferentes carreras y semestres. Surgieron cinco categorías: ingreso al entorno universitario, ajuste al entorno universitario, factores psicosociales, factores escolares y recursos institucionales. Se concluye que el papel que juega la institución es importante en esta etapa y puede fomentar el bienestar de sus alumnos; se sugiere implementar diversas acciones que favorecen la salud y el bienestar del alumnado.Recibido: 10 de enero de 2018Aceptado: 27 de octubre de 2018

This study gathers evidence of the validity of a translated and Spanish-adapted version of the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) evaluating both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) in a clinical sample of Mexican women exposed to traumatic experiences. ITQ and a measure of traumatic events were administered to a purposive sample of 112 adult Mexican women attending an outpatient psychiatric service. The psychometric properties of the ITQ were evaluated according to the guidelines of the International Test Commission. The items were analyzed using G-theory, reliability analysis, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The instrument showed to have validity and reliability in this population, with adequate generalization and dependence coefficients (G theory), appropriate reliability indices, and a factorial structure congruent with the original theory. 55% of the participants classified with CPTSD and 14% with PTSD. The ITQ is a brief screening instrument that adequately distinguishes between PTSD and CPTSD in a clinical sample of Mexican women and may help make fundamental decisions in terms of treatment. Further analysis of the psychometric properties of this scale is recommended.

Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and other drugs is a common occurrence in Western societies. Alcohol consumption is related to 15% of fatal injuries in traffic accidents worldwide, with those DUI of alcohol being up to 18 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident. Evidence for DUI of alcohol or marijuana among the college population in Mexico is scarce. This research estimates the proportion of use of alcohol and marijuana, describes the risk perception of DUI, and evaluates the relationship between risk perception and DUI behaviors in a sample of Mexican college students aged 18 to 29. The study was cross-sectional with a non-probabilistic sample. Risk perception of suffering traffic accidents when DUI or riding with someone DUI of alcohol, marijuana, or both, was high, unlike the risk perception of being detected or sanctioned for a DUI of marijuana. The study provided valuable information on the risk perception of engaging in behaviors related to DUI of alcohol and/or marijuana. It is necessary to undertake research on the subject with probabilistic and representative samples of this population of Mexico.