title: Polydrug use and attempted suicide among Hispanic adolescents in Puerto Rico.
abstract: This study was aimed at examining the relationship between suicidal attempts, polydrug use, and depression in adolescents. A sample of 691 adolescents and their parents were interviewed. Subjects who met the criteria for depression and those who used alcohol were significantly more likely to be suicidal attempters (OR = 6.8, p < 0.001; OR = 7.5, p < 0.001). Polydrug users were significantly more likely to attempt suicide (OR = 8.8, p = 0.032). Adolescents with mothers who met the criteria for depression were more likely to report suicide attempts (OR = 2.4, p = 0.069). Health professionals need to screen for polydrug use and depression to prevent future suicidal behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Research, Education and Services on Addiction, Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Bayamon, Puerto Rico. juan.reyes5@upr.edu
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: Rafaela R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Robles
authors.forename: Héctor M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Colón
authors.forename: Juan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Negrón
authors.forename: Tomás D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Calderón
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*