Abstract

Objective

The objective was to analyze the moderating effect of self-esteem on the relationship between mental health difficulties and suicidal behavior in adolescence.

Method

The sample was composed of 1,790 Spanish adolescents (M = 15.70 years; SD = 1.26; 53.7% girls) through a stratified random sampling by cluster at classroom level. The participants completed questionnaires about emotional symptoms, behavioral problems, peer relationship difficulties, hyperactivity, suicidal behavior, and self-esteem.

Results

The results evidenced gender differences, showing that girls tend to have more emotional symptoms (t = −15.27; p ≤ .001; d = −0.71), more difficulties in peer relationship (t=−2.49; p = .013; d = −0.12) and less self-esteem (t = 12.15; p ≤ .001; d = 0.57), as well as more suicidal behaviors (t = −5.36; p ≤ .001; d = −0.25) than boys. It is also noted that emotional and behavioral difficulties influence suicidal behavior (R² = 0.35; ΔF = 197.42; p ≤ .001). In addition, self-esteem appeared to act as a protective factor, buffering the relationship between emotional and behavioral problems and suicidal behavior (R² = 0.39; F = 376.92; p ≤ .001).

Conclusions

Adolescents who present mental health difficulties might commit suicidal behavior if they have an unfavorable attitude toward themselves. However, the risk of committing suicidal behavior decreases if their attitude toward themselves is favorable. Thus, the development of self-esteem may be included in intervention programs for the prevention of suicidal behavior.

• HIGHLIGHTS

• Girls present more suicidal behaviors and less self-esteem than boys.

• Mental health difficulties influence the appearance of suicidal behavior.

• Self-esteem moderates the relationship between emotional problems and suicidal behavior.

中文翻译：

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与青少年自杀行为相关的心理健康问题：自尊的调节作用

摘要

客观的

目的是分析自尊对青春期心理健康困难与自杀行为之间关系的调节作用。

方法

样本由 1,790 名西班牙青少年（M =  15.70 岁；SD =  1.26；53.7% 的女孩）通过课堂级别的分层随机抽样组成。参与者完成了关于情绪症状、行为问题、同伴关系困难、多动、自杀行为和自尊的问卷。

结果

结果证明了性别差异，表明女孩往往有更多的情绪症状（t  = -15.27；p  ≤ .001；d  = -0.71），在同伴关系中更困难（t =-2.49；p  = .013；d  = -0.12）和更少的自尊（t =  12.15；p  ≤ .001；d =  0.57），以及比男孩更多的自杀行为（t  = -5.36；p  ≤ .001；d  = -0.25）。还注意到情绪和行为困难会影响自杀行为（R ²  = 0 .35 ；ΔF =  197.42; p  ≤ .001)。此外，自尊似乎是一种保护因素，缓冲情绪和行为问题与自杀行为之间的关系（R ²  = 0 .39 ；F =  376.92；p ≤  .001）。

结论

出现心理健康问题的青少年如果对自己有不利的态度，可能会做出自杀行为。然而，如果他们对自己的态度是有利的，那么他们自杀行为的风险就会降低。因此，自尊的发展可以包括在预防自杀行为的干预计划中。

• 强调

• 女孩比男孩表现出更多的自杀行为和更少的自尊心。

• 心理健康困难会影响自杀行为的出现。

• 自尊调节情绪问题和自杀行为之间的关系。