Prevalence, risks and protective factors associated with suicidal behaviours among adolescents in Bolivia

Adolescent suicidal behaviour is a major public health crisis and mental health concern. Although several epidemiological studies have been conducted in several countries, Bolivia lacks recent research that assesses the prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviours among school-going adolescents in Bolivia. To address this gap, I analysed data from the Global School-based Student Health Survey to assess the prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviours among 7,822 in-school adolescents in Bolivia. Results indicated a prevalence of 23.5% for suicidal ideation, 21.4% for suicide planning, and 22.1% for suicide attempts, respectively. After adjusting for other factors, suicidal ideation was more likely among adolescents who had been physically attacked, seriously injured, lacked close friends, experienced anxiety-induced insomnia, or went hungry. Substance use (alcohol, marijuana), physical inactivity, and truancy were also associated with risks for suicidal ideation. Suicidal planning also shared similar related factors, including physical attack, serious injury, lack of close friends, anxiety-induced insomnia, hunger, alcohol and marijuana use, physical inactivity, and truancy. Additionally, suicidal attempts were associated with being physically attacked, anxiety-induced insomnia, lacking close friends, hunger, alcohol use, marijuana use, serious injury, truancy, and lower school grades. Across all three suicidal outcomes, anxiety-induced insomnia, lack of close friendships, and exposure to violence (physical attacks) were consistent and strong risk factors. On the contrary, being male, low parental intrusiveness, and high parental involvement in academic matters consistently protected against suicidality. These findings show the complex interplay of factors in understanding adolescent suicidality. Thus, underscoring the need for multifaceted, context-specific, culturally informed prevention interventions and policies.