Suicidal behavior in Mexican adolescents: A test of a latent class model using two independent probability samples.

Suicidal behavior is a serious health issue that affects the adolescent population and that may be prevented through evidence-based approaches. There are many risk factors involved in suicidal behavior, but there are few studies encompassing the complex relationships between them. This study tested the similarity between two latent class models from two different epidemiological samples of middle-school students and evaluated if the multinomial regression model replicated the associations between the classes and the psychosocial variables. Data of 4013 adolescents from the Mexican states of Campeche and Querétaro were included in LCA to characterize suicide behavior and associated factors. The most likely latent class membership was used as the outcome in multinomial regression models. The model with data from Querétaro was consistent with the previous LC model from Campeche. The four latent classes were nearly identical for both populations and can be defined as follows: 1) "No Problems," included 73% of the adolescents; 2) "Drug Use Only," comprised 7% of the adolescents; 3) "Suicidal Behavior, No Depression," captured 8% of the adolescents (25% reported binge drinking in the past month, 50% self-inflicted injuries, and 43% low-lethality suicide attempt); 4) "Depression and Suicidal Behavior," comprised 12% of the sample (66% met criteria for Major Depressive Episode, 28% reported binge drinking in the past month, and 11% had a high-lethality suicide attempt). The congruence between the models and the consistency with identified factors highlight the need for appropriate and effective prevention strategies to minimize risk factors and reinforce protective factors in the adolescent population.

Risk Perception of Traffic Accidents Due to Alcohol and Marijuana Use in Mexican College Students.

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.

Psychosocial Correlates of Suicidal Behavior among Adolescents under Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Aguascalientes, Mexico: A Cross-Sectional Population Survey.

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.

Principales problemas identificados en la investigación y atención de víctimas de la explotación sexual comercial infantil en México / Principal problems identified in research on and treatment of victims of the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in Mexico

The purpose of this study is to identify and describe the actions designed to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) which jeopardizes or affects the victims of exploitation. To this end, the paper analyzes the paradoxical results obtained in the research and actions to combat CSEC, implemented under the auspices of the institutions to promote research on CSEC and the prevention, protection and care of child victims of the phenomenon. These results were obtained by the research team when it systematized 16 CSEC diagnoses undertaken in various parts of the country and from the information derived from the fieldwork carried out between 2000 and 2005 by the Inter-Institutional Committees to combat CSEC and at the institutions for the protection and care of child victims of sexual exploitation. The fieldwork involved participant observation during the working meetings of the Inter-Institutional Committees and at the <

El objetivo del presente trabajo es identificar y describir las acciones en contra de la explotación sexual comercial infantil (ESCI) que ponen en riesgo o afectan a las víctimas de dicha explotación. Para ello, se documentan los resultados paradójicos obtenidos en la investigación y en las acciones contra la ESCI, implementadas bajo el auspicio de instituciones promotoras de la investigación de la ESCI y de la prevención, protección y atención a victimas infantiles del fenómeno. Estos resultados fueron obtenidos por el equipo de investigación al desarrollar una sistematización de 16 diagnósticos de la ESCI promovidos en diferentes partes del país, y al sistematizar la información del trabajo de campo desarrollado entre los años 2000 y 2005, en los comités interinstitucionales en contra de la ESCI, y en instituciones de atención de las víctimas infantiles de la explotación sexual. El trabajo de campo consistió en la realización de observación participante durante las reuniones de trabajo de los comités interinstitucionales y en los albergues de <