Familial risk factors for suicide among adolescents with depression

Background: Suicide is the second or third cause of death among Chilean teenagers aged 15 to 19 years. Aim: To evaluate familial risk factors associated to suicidal attempt in adolescents with a depressive disorder. Material and methods: Thirty two teenagers with depression, aged between 13 and 18 years, receiving psychological treatment in six public Mental Health Centers in Santiago and 32 fathers, mothers or tutors were evaluated. Beck's Depression Inventory and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES III, family version) were applied to adolescents. Adults were evaluated by the Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire and the FACES III parents version. Results: No meaningful statistical association between adolescents suicidal attempt and family risk factors (family order, pressure of family stressors and parent's mental health), was observed. However, the was a significant association between suicidal ideation of teenagers, their familiar adaptability and suicidal ideation of close relatives. Conclusions: Suicidal attempt in this group of teenagers was associated with familial adaptability and suicidal ideation by close relatives. Therefore close relatives must be integrated to the prevention programs for adolescents' suicide (Rev Med Chile 2009; 137: 226-33)