Sintomatología Depresiva e Ideación Suicida en Adolescentes Escolarizados: Un Análisis Comparativo por Sexo

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to describe the levels of depressive symptoms and suicide risk in adolescents in the municipality of Corozal, Sucre. Method: The method used was based on a positivist paradigm, with a quantitative approach, a descriptive comparative type and a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of (n=112) secondary school students from a public educational institution, whose ages ranged between 14 and 19 years. The data collection instruments used were the positive and negative suicidal ideation scale - PANSI and the Beck depression inventory BDI II. Data analysis was performed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS 25.0 using descriptive and frequency statistics, prioritizing the population mean to establish differences based on sociodemographic variables. Results: The results showed mild levels of depression, since there is the presence of five or six depressive symptoms in this population and the need to make significant efforts for normal functioning in daily life. Likewise, statistically significant differences were found in terms of sex, where women presented higher averages of depressive symptoms than men. On the other hand, in the sample evaluated there were no clinical ranges that indicate the presence of suicidal ideation as established by the measurement instrument applied. Conclusions: The conclusions constitute a baseline for local surveillance to address this mental health problem that affects the adolescent population of the municipality of Corozal, Sucre.