Racial/ethnic differences in the prevalence of internalizing symptoms: do Latin-American immigrant show more symptomatology than Spanish native-born adolescents?

This study mainly compared the prevalence of internalizing symptoms of 834 Spanish and 159 Latin-American immigrant adolescents. Participants completed self-report measures about depression, anxiety and somatic symptoms and a socio-demographic questionnaire. The results indicated that being Latin-American was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and being female was related to higher depressive and anxiety symptoms. Gender differences were more prevalent in Spaniards than in Latinos, with girls showing more symptoms than boys. High socio-economic status was negatively related to depressive symptoms and anxiety. The results may alert clinicians of the importance of assessing depressive symptoms in Latino adolescents in order to treat this group of youths effectively.

Age and gender differences of somatic symptoms in children and adolescents*.

AIMS: This study provides information about the prevalence of somatic symptoms (Ss) in a population of Spanish children and adolescents and their distribution by age and gender. It also sheds light on which Ss are more associated with depression and anxiety and which are associated with more disability. METHOD: A sample of 2558 school children and adolescents aged 8-16 years old, 1297 girls, completed one questionnaire about Ss, and two about anxiety and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: About 37.6% reported at least one Ss, headache being the most prevalent. In terms of age distribution, 26.8% of children and 52.1% of adolescents reported Ss. Girls reported more Ss than did boys. These gender differences started at 13 years of age and decreased at 15. Headache, stomach-ache and muscle pain were the Ss that caused the most impairment. CONCLUSIONS: In general, both anxiety and depressive symptoms were related to all Ss, whereas anxiety symptoms were associated with fatigue and muscle pain [corrected].

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms among spanish adolescents: prevalence and association with depressive and anxious symptoms

The present study examines the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS) in a population 1,061 adolescents (mean age 13.92) in Spain. The association between OCS and anxiety symptoms severity (panic attacks, separation anxiety, social phobia, generalized anxiety and school phobia) and depressive symptom severity has also been studied. Two distinct groups of subjects were defined and analyzed as being ‘positive’ on the obsessive-compulsive screen: The first group (called High interference) included all of the subjects who scored 25 or more in Leyton Obsessional Inventory-Child Version (LOI-CV) interference score regardless of symptom presence score, and the second group (labeled High symptom presence) consisted of all subjects with a symptom presence score equal to or above 15 and an interference score of 10 or less. Females scored higher than did males both on the symptom presence and interference scores. Forty- one subjects (3.9%) showed an interference score of 25 or more (high interference group) while eight students (0.8%) were included in the high symptom presence group. The most prevalent and interfering symptoms were: fussy about hands, hating dirt and contamination and going over things a lot. In addition, the association between LOI and depressive symptom severity was significant, while the association between LOI and anxiety symptoms severity was insignificant (AU)

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Prevalencia de la sintomatología del Síndrome de Asperger y variables asociadas en preescolares españoles / Prevalence of Asperger Syndrome symptomatology and associated variables in Spanish preschoolers

El Síndrome de Asperger (AS) forma parte del espectro de trastornos autistas, su estudio es reciente para el caso de edades tempranas. El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar la prevalencia de los síntomas del AS en población preescolar general, rural y urbana en preescolares de España. Además, analizamos las áreas de desarrollo y síntomas de ansiedad asociados a la presencia de sintomatología del AS. La muestra de este estudio se conforma de 1104 preescolares de 3 a 6 años de edad. La presencia de síntomas del AS se evaluó con base en el reporte de padres y maestros, mediante un instrumento de detección de desórdenes psiquiátricos. La prevalencia informada por padres fue de 11,7%, mientras que para los maestros fue de 8,1%. La presencia de sintomatología del AS se asoció a retrasos en el desarrollo de la comprensión del lenguaje, la coordinación motora, las habilidades de autoayuda y la práctica de juegos. Además, nuestros resultados indican que el AS tiene una fuerte relación con síntomas de fobia específica y tics. Concluimos que es posible hacer una detección temprana de la sintomatología del AS, ya que encontramos prevalencias similares a otras descritas en investigaciones recientes. Dada la afectación asociada al AS, su detección es altamente recomendable.

Asperger's Syndrome (AS) forms part of the whole spectrum of autistic disorders. Until recently it has not been studied in early ages. The aim of this study is to determine the AS's prevalence of symptoms in general preschool, rural and urban population. In addition, the association of the development areas and symptoms of anxiety and the presence of symptoms of AS was analized. The sample of this study consisted in 1104 preschool children between 3-6 years old. The presence of AS's symptoms was evaluated by a screening tool for psychiatric disorders. This tool was applied to both, preschooler's parents and their teachers. The prevalence of symptoms of AS for parents and teachers was 11.7% and 8.1%, respectively. The presence of AS's symptoms was associated with language compression delays, general and fine motor coordination, self-help skills and impairment in game activities. In addition, our results showed that the AS has a strong association with specific phobia symptoms and tics. We conclude that an early detection of AS's symptoms is possible since we found similar prevalence described in other recent researches. Given the impairment associated with AS, its detection is highly recommended.

Evidencias de calidad psicométrica de la versión en castellano del Screen For Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED) de 41 ítems / Evidences of psychometric quality of the Spanish 41-items Screen for child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorder (SCARED)

El objetivo del estudio es valorar la calidad psicométrica de la versión castellana de 41 items del SCARED, escala diseñada para detectar síntomas de trastornos de ansiedad en niños y adolescentes a partir del autoinforme. El estudio se ha realizado en una población de 487 alumnos entre 9 y 17 años a los que se les ha administrado un cuestionario socieconómico y las versiones castellanas del STAIC y el SCARED. Los resultados apoyan la estructura de 5 factores propuesta por los autores de la versión original. Cuatro factores corresponden a trastornos de ansiedad del DSM-IV-R, y el quinto a la fobia escolar. La puntuación total tiene una consistencia interna de 0.83 y las de las escalas oscilan entre 0.44 y 0.72. Las puntuaciones se mantienen estable en el tiempo (correlaciones test-retest entre 0.55 y 0.76) y se relacionan de la forma esperada con las escalas del STAIC, ansiedad/rasgo (correlaciones entre 0.35 y 0.60) y ansiedad/estado (correlaciones entre 0.13 y 0.28). La versión castellana del SCARED puede, por tanto, considerarse un buen instrumento para la detección temprana de síntomas y trastornos de ansiedad en la población de niños y adolescentes de habla castellana (AU)

The aim of the study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the SCARED (41 items version), a self-report scale devised to detect symptoms of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. The study was carried out on a sample of 487 pupils aged between 9 and 17, who were administered a socioeconomic questionnaire and the Spanish versions of the STAIC and SCARED. Our results support the five-factor structure of the SCARED, as the authors pointed out in their original work. Four factors have been identified an anxiety disorders in DSM-IV and the fifth as School Phobia. Cronbach´s alpha coefficient as a whole was 0.83 and scale reliability ranged between 0.44 and 0.72. These values remain stable over time (test-retest correlations between 0.55 and 0.76). Concurrent validity with the STAIC performed as expected: for the trait state scale correlations between 0.35 and 0.60 and for the state scale between 0.13 and 0.28. This Spanish version of the SCARED may be considered a good instrument for the early detection of anxiety symptoms and disorders in Spanish-speaking children and adolescent populations (AU)

¿El rasgo temperamental ira/frustración afecta en la sintomatología interiorizada? Estudio en una muestra clínica infantil de 8-10 años / Is tait ange temperament associated to internalizing symptomatology? Study in a clinical sample of 8 to 10 year old

Los rasgos temperamentales ira/frustración pueden predecir la aparición de sintomatología interiorizada. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la relación del rasgo temperamental ira/frustración en la presentación de sintomatología ansiosa y/o depresiva en población clínica infantil. Participaron 80 niños/as de entre 8 y10 años de edad, positivos en un cribado por ansiedad, de dos Centros de Salud Mental Infantojuvenil de Cataluña. Los resultados muestran que el rasgo temperamental de ira no es estadísticamente significativo para la sintomatología ansiosa, pero si para la depresiva. El estudio muestra diferentes asociaciones entre este rango de edad. Los parámetros diagnósticos y las evaluaciones deben tener en cuenta la importancia de esto, así como las estrategias de prevención (AU)

Trait anger temperament can predict the onset of internalizing symptoms. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between anger temperament and the onset of anxiety and depressive symptoms in clinical school age children. Participants were 80 children with high scores in anxiety, aged 8 to 10 years old, recruited from two infant and adolescent mental health centers in Catalonia. Results showed that anger temperament is not associated with anxiety symptoms, but it is significantly associated with depressive symptoms. The study shows a different association between this temperament trait and the types of symptomatology of both internalizing disorders at these ages. Diagnostic parameters and assessments, as well as the prevention strategies used, need to take this into account (AU)

[Comorbidity between SCARED anxiety factors and depressive symptomatology in 8- to 12-year-old children]. / Comorbilidad entre los factores de ansiedad del SCARED y la sintomatología depresiva en niños de 8-12 años.

The aim of this study was to examine the comorbidity between the SCARED anxiety factors and depressive symptoms in 8-12-year-old children. Participants were 792 girls and 715 boys, who completed: the 41-ítem version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorder (SCARED), the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and a Socio-demographic questionnaire. Of the sample, 47% showed anxiety symptoms and 11.5% showed depressive symptoms. Heterotypic comorbidity was 82% in children at risk of depression and 20% in children at risk of anxiety. Homotypic Comorbidity between anxiety factors was 87%. Homotypic comorbidity and heterotypic comorbidity were high; their early detection will prevent the continuity of an anxious disorder and the development of depression.

Comorbilidad entre los factores de ansiedad del SCARED y la sintomatología depresiva en niños de 8-12 años / Comorbidity between SCARED anxiety factors and depressive symptomatology in 8- to 12-year-old children

El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la comorbilidad entre los factores de ansiedad del SCARED y síntomas depresivos en niños de 8-12 años. 792 niñas y 715 niños completaron el Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorder (SCARED), el Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) y un cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos. El 47% de la muestra presentó síntomas ansiosos y el 11,5% presentó síntomas depresivos. La comorbilidad heterotípica fue del 82% en niños con riesgo de depresión y del 20% en niños con riesgo de ansiedad. La comorbilidad homotípica entre los factores de ansiedad fue del 87%. La comorbilidad homotípica y heterotípica fueron elevadas, su detección hará posible prevenir la continuidad de un trastorno de ansiedad y el desarrollo de depresión (AU)

The aim of this study was to examine the comorbidity between the SCARED anxiety factors and depressive symptoms in 8-12-year-old children. Participants were 792 girls and 715 boys, who completed: the 41-ítem version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorder (SCARED), the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and a Socio-demographic questionnaire. Of the sample, 47% showed anxiety symptoms and 11.5% showed depressive symptoms. Heterotypic comorbidity was 82% in children at risk of depression and 20% in children at risk of anxiety. Homotypic Comorbidity between anxiety factors was 87%. Homotypic comorbidity and heterotypic comorbidity were high; their early detection will prevent the continuity of an anxious disorder and the development of depression (AU)

Prevalence of major depression in preschool children.

The prevalence of preschool major depressive disorder (MDD) was studied in the community. The whole population of children between 3 and 6 years attending preschool nurseries in three areas (one urban, one rural and one suburban) in Spain (n = 1,427) were contacted. Selection was by a two-stage procedure. At stage I, the ESDM 3-6, a screening measure for preschool depression, was used to identify a sample for more intensive interviewing. Sensitivity and specificity of the cut-off point of the ESDM 3-6 had been previously tested in a pilot study (n = 229). During the first stage, 222 preschool children (15.6%) were found to be probable depressives, because they scored 27 or more, the cut-off used. At stage II, the children were interviewed and diagnosed by the consensus of two clinicians, blind to the ESDM 3-6 results. DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were used to define caseness. A total of 16 children (1.12%) met the MDD criteria. The prevalence by areas was urban 0.87%, rural 0.88%, suburban 1.43%. Sex distribution prevalence was 1:1. This study is a contribution to the scarce epidemiology of preschool depression in the community.

Teacher reports of peer aggression in preschool: its relationship to DSM-IV externalizing symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: to establish the prevalence and associations of peer aggression as manifested in preschool children, in community-based populations and to study links with DSM-IV externalizing diagnoses. METHOD: Subjects were 1104 children, 3-to-5-year-olds attending rural and urban pre-schools classes. Teachers completed the Peer Conflict Scale (PCS) to inform about direct physical and verbal aggression, object aggression and symbolic aggression and the questionnaire on psychopathology ECI-4. RESULTS: 6.6% (n=73) had at least one positive item on the PCS. This percentage dropped to 2.6% (n=29) if we take into account a minimum of three positive items. Physical direct aggression was the more prevalent type of aggressive behavior, followed by verbal aggression, object aggression and symbolic aggression. Significant differences by gender and age were found. Peer aggression was associated with male gender from three years of age. Physical, object and verbal aggressive behavior was linked with externalizing disorders. This association was very strong with oppositional disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The present research with a Spanish population confirms the existence of peer aggression in preschoolers and the gender differences. Our chief contribution is about the age of emergence of sex differences and gender differences in different types of peer aggression.

Teacher Reports of Peer Aggression in Preschool: its Relationship to DSM-IV Externalizing Symptoms

Objective: to establish the prevalence and associations of peer aggression as manifested in preschool children, in community-based populations and to study links with DSM-IV externalizing diagnoses. Method: Subjects were 1,104 children, 3-to-5-year-olds attending rural and urban pre-schools classes.Teachers completed the Peer Conflict Scale (PCS) to inform about direct physical and verbal aggression, object aggression and symbolic aggression and the questionnaire on psychopathology ECI-4. Results: 6.6% (n = 73) had at least one positive item on the PCS. This percentage dropped to 2.6% (n = 29) if we take into account a minimum of three positive items. Physical direct aggression was the more prevalent type of aggressive behavior, followed by verbal aggression, object aggression and symbolic aggression. Significant differences by gender and age were found. Peer aggression was associated with male gender from three years of age. Physical, object and verbal aggressive behavior was linked with externalizing disorders. This association was very strong with oppositional disorder. Conclusions: The present research with a Spanish population confirms the existence of peer aggression in preschoolers and the gender differences. Our chief contribution is about the age of emergence of sex differences and gender differences in different types of peer aggression (AU)

Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia de agresión preescolar hacia iguales en la comunidad y su correlación con categorías externalizantes del DSM-IV. Método: La muestra fue de 1104 niños de 3 a 6 años, procedentes de aulas preescolares urbanas y rurales. Se aplicó a los maestros la Peer Conflict Scale(PCS), para recabar información de agresiones físicas directas, verbales, con objetos y simbólicas, y el cuestionario de psicopatología ECI-IV. Resultados: Un 6.6% (n = 73) puntuó positivamente por lo menos en un item de la PCS. Este porcentaje decreció hasta un 2.6 % (n = 29) con una definición de caso más exigente (mínimo tres ítems positivos). La agresión física directa fue la forma más frecuente de agresión seguida de agresión verbal y agresión con objetos. Hubo diferencias significativas según edad y sexo. La agresión dirigida a iguales se asocia al sexo masculino desde los 3 años. La agresión física directa, con objetos y verbal correlaciona con trastornos externalizantes, principalmente con trastornos oposicionistas. Conclusiones: Esta investigación en población española confirma la existencia de agresividad hacia iguales en preescolares así como diferencias según sexo. Nuestra principal aportación es haber encontrado diferencias de sexo en el inicio y en los tipos de agresividad hacia iguales (AU)

[Assessment of psychopathology in preschool age children through the Early Childhood Inventory-4 (ECI-4): agreement among parents and teachers]. / Evaluación de la psicopatología del preescolar mediante el Early Childhood Inventory-4 (ECI-4): concordancia entre padres y maestros.

The main purpose of this study is to determine the level of agreement among parents and teachers as informants in each one of the dimensions or diagnostic categories of the Early Childhood Inventory-4 (ECI-4). Moreover, the effect of health problems in parents in the description and appraisal of behaviour of a sample of 204 students of preschool (3-6 years) of various socioeconomic profiles is analyzed. The results indicate that parents tend to value the symptoms with greater severity, and higher agreement was observed when informing about developmental disorders.

Evaluación de la psicopatología del preescolar mediante el Early Childhood Inventory-4 (ECI-4): concordancia entre padres y maestros / Assessment of psychopathology in preschool age children through the Early Childhood Inventory-4 (ECI-4): Agreement among parents and teachers

El objetivo principal de este estudio es conocer la concordancia entre informantes, padres y maestros, en cada una de las dimensiones o categorías diagnósticas del Early Childhood Inventory-4 (ECI-4). Además, se pretende analizar la influencia de la presencia de problemas de salud en los padres en la descripción y valoración de la conducta de una muestra de 204 alumnos de preescolar (3 a 6 años) de perfiles socioeconómicos diferentes. Los resultados indican que los padres tienden a valorar con mayor severidad los síntomas, observándose una mayor concordancia entre informantes en los relativos a los trastornos del desarrollo (AU)

The main purpose of this study is to determine the level of agreement among parents and teachers as informants in each one of the dimensions or diagnostic categories of the Early Childhood Inventory-4 (ECI-4). Moreover, the effect of health problems in parents in the description and appraisal of behaviour of a sample of 204 students of preschool (3-6 years) of various socioeconomic profiles is analyzed. The results indicate that parents tend to value the symptoms with greater severity, and higher agreement was observed when informing about developmental disorders (AU)

Sintomatología ansiosa y estilos de crianza en una muestra clínica de preescolares / Anxious symptomatology and parenting styles in a clinical sample of preschoolers

La relación entre los trastornos de ansiedad y los estilos parentales es un tema de creciente interés desde hace varias décadas, principalmente en grupos de edad escolar. En el presente trabajo se ha analizado la relación entre la sintomatología ansiosa que presentan en grupos de escolares clínicamente referidos, los estilos de crianza parentales y el estado de salud paterno. Los resultados obtenidos muestran, por un lado, correlación entre el estilo de crianza hiperreactivo y los síntomas de ansiedad generalizada, y por otro, correlación entre el estado de salud paterno y los síntomas de ansiedad de separación. Se observa también una relación entre los estilos de crianza, principalmente el hiperreactivo, y el estado de salud paterno

The relationship between anxiety disorders and parenting styles has been a topic of growiing interest over the past decades, mostly in school age groups. The present work analyses the relationship between anxious symptomatology in a sample of clinically referred preschoolers, parenting styles and parents´ health. On one hand results show a correlation between hyperreactivity style and symptoms of generalized anxiety and, on the other hand, a correlation between parents´s health and separation anxiety symptoms. There is also a relationship between parenting styles (mainly hyperreactivity) and parents´ health

Parental reports of somatic symptoms in preschool children: prevalence and associations in a Spanish sample.

OBJECTIVE: To document prevalence and associations of somatic symptoms in Spanish preschool children. METHOD: Subjects were 3- to 5-year-olds attending nurseries (8 urban, 30 rural). Parental questionnaires (response rate 77%) were used to inquire about somatic symptoms in the child in the 2 weeks prior to assessment, about preschool absence and pediatric help-seeking, chronic family health problems, and recent stressful life events for the child. Parents completed questionnaires on child psychopathology (Early Childhood Inventory 4) and their own mental health (General Health Questionnaire). Children who were reported as complaining of symptoms frequently (four or more times) were compared to noncomplaining children. RESULTS: Parents reported that 452 of the 807 (56%) children complained of somatic symptoms at least once, significantly more so in urban than in rural areas. Frequent somatic complaints were reported for 165 of the 807 (20%) (abdominal pains 7.9%, tiredness 5.7%, leg pains 4%, headaches 2%, dizziness 0.4%). There were significant associations of frequent symptom reporting with days off preschool and pediatric clinic attendance, with emotional and behavioral symptoms in children, mental distress in parents, and urban abode. CONCLUSIONS: Somatic symptoms are common in preschool children. Results point to family influences.

Escala de depresión preescolar para maestros (ESDM 3-6): primeros resultados de validación / The preschool depression scale for teachers (ESDM 3-6): first validation results

Se presenta una nueva escala (ESDM 3-6) para la detección de síntomas de depresión en preescolares a partir de la información proporcionada por los educadores, y se aportan los primeros resultados de validación. Se ha utilizado una muestra estratificada de 436 preescolares, siendo el aula la unidad de muestreo. Se ha estudiado la fiabilidad de la ESDM 3-6, así como su validez concurrente con la versión para maestros de la escala GRASP El coeficiente alfa de Cronbach de la ESDM 3-6 fue 0,81. La correlación de Pearson entre la ESDM 3-6 y la GRASP-M fue 0,84 (p<0,0005). La ESDM 3-6 puede considerarse un instrumento de cribaje para estudios epidemiológicos de sintomatología depresiva en la etapa preescolar y también un instrumento complementario útil para la evaluación de sintomatología depresiva en esta etapa evolutiva (AU)

A new scale (ESDM 3-6) devised to detect symptoms of preschool depression from information provided by teachers is presented, along with preliminary validation results. A random stratified sample of 436 preschool children was used, the sampling unit being the classroom. The reliability of ESDM 3-6 was tested and its concurrent validity with GRASP-M was assessed. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for ESDM 3-6 as a whole was 0.81. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between ESDM 3-6 and GRASP-M was 0.84 (p<0.0005). ESDM 3-6 should be considered as a screening instrument for epidemiological studies of depressive symptomatology at the preschool stage and also as a useful complementary instrument for the assessment of preschool depressive symptomatology (AU)

Problemas para dormir en la etapa preescolar / Sleep problems in preschool children

El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la prevalencia, referida por los padres, de los problemas para dormir durante la etapa preescolar, y analizar su relación con variables sociofamiliares y psicopatológicas. Un total de 851 niños de edades comprendidas entre los 3 y los 6 años fueron evaluados mediante el Early Childhood Inventory-Parents Cheklist (ECI-4), un instrumento que permite valorar síntomas de trastornos psicopatológicos a partir de criterios DSM-IV. Además se administró el General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) a los padres y se obtuvo información relativa a la estructura familiar, los hábitos familiares y de vida del niño y la presencia de acontecimientos vitales estresantes. Un 19.0 por ciento de la muestra estudiada presenta problemas para dormir. Estos problemas están asociados a la presencia de psicopatología en el niño y problemas de salud en sus padres. Los resultados obtenidos permiten concluir que la aparición de problemas para dormir durante la etapa preescolar debe ser considerada como un signo de alarma de la presencia de un problema específico del sueño pero a la vez de otro problema, quizás incluso más grave, de carácter psicosocial o psicopatológico (AU)

Predictors of depression at eighteen. A 7-year follow-up study in a Spanish nonclinical population.

This study prospectively examined predicting factors and depressive antecedents of depression in early adulthood and determined differences by sex. 199 adolescents aged 11-12 from the general community were followed up annually for 4 years and reassessed at 18 years of age. Sociodemographic data, depressive symptomatology, anxiety level, personality dimensions, self-esteem, academic aptitude and pubertal development were reported throughout this period and tested as possible risk variables of depression. At 18, depression was diagnosed using ICD-10 criteria. Of the cases of major depression (MDD) at eighteen, 30% had been diagnosed as MDD between 12 and 14 years of age. Of the cases of MDD at eighteen, 80% had had depressive symptomatology between the ages of 11 and 14. Subclinical scores in the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) were early indicators of long-term risk. Gender differences were found in the risk pattern; depressive symptoms were more significant in girls than in boys. In boys, early anxious symptomatology was a significant predictor. This study reports cross-cultural data that support a continuity of depression from adolescence to young adulthood.

Psychological and family factors associated with suicidal ideation in pre-adolescents.

To assess the psychological and family factors associated with suicidal ideation in pre-adolescent children, we studied a sample of 361 students, average age 9 years old. Two groups were formed, on the basis of the presence (n = 34) or absence (n = 44) of suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was assessed with the Children's Depression Inventory and the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised. Depression, hopelessness, self-esteem, and perceived family environment were compared in both the suicidal ideation and the control groups. Students with suicidal ideation generally presented greater depressive symptoms and hopelessness, and lower self-esteem and family expressiveness, although there were differences both between sexes, and when the variable depression was controlled. Identifying these risk factors in pre-adolescents may have an impact on prevention of suicidal behavior at higher risk ages.

Evaluación de la severidad de la ideación suicida autoinformada en escolares de 8 a 12 años / Assesment of self-repport suicidal ideation severity in 8 to 12 years old school children

El objetivo de este estudio es la evaluación de la ideación suicida infantil y su severidad a partir de la información proporcionada por el niño. Para ello se ha aplicado el Children’s Depression Inventory a una muestra representativa de 361 escolares de edades comprendidas entre los 8 y 12 años. Un mes más tarde se ha verificado la persistencia de los deseos de morir mediante la Children’s Depression Rating Scale-Revised. Se evalúa la severidad de la ideación suicida autoinformada con relación a la persistencia, la alteración del estado de ánimo y el conocimiento intelectual de la muerte. Los resultados indican que la persistencia de la intencionalidad suicida esta asociada a una mayor sintomatología depresiva (AU)

The aim of this study is to assess the severity of self-report child suicidal ideation.The Children’s Depression Inventory was administered to random sample of 361 school children aged 8 to 12 years-old. A month later, the persistence of death desires was reassessed by using the Children’s Depression Rating Scale-Revised. The severity of child suicidal ideation was evaluated and related to affective symptomatology and to the intellectual knowledge of death. The results shown that the persistence of suicidal was associated with a higher depressive simptomatology (AU)