What seems to explain suicidality in Yucatan Mexican young adults? Findings from an app-based mental health screening test using the SMART-SCREEN protocol

Ismael Martínez-Nicolás, Cristian Antonio Molina-Pizarro, Arsenio Rosado Franco, Pavel E. Arenas Castañeda, Cynthya Maya, Igor Barahona, Gonzalo Martínez-Alés, Fuensanta Aroca Bisquert, David Delgado-Gomez, Kanita Dervic, Olatz Lopez-Fernandez, Enrique Baca-García*, María Luisa Barrigón

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The relationship between suicidality, depression, anxiety, and well-being was explored in young adults (median age 20.7 years) from the State of Yucatan (Mexico), which has a suicide rate double that of other Mexican states. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 20 universities in Yucatan and 9,366 students were surveyed using validated questionnaires built into a smartphone app, applying partial least squares structural equation models. High suicide risk was assessed in 10.8% of the sample. Clinically relevant depression and anxiety levels were found in 6.6% and 10.5% of the sample, respectively, and 67.8% reported high well-being. Comparably higher levels of suicide risk, depression and anxiety, and lower well-being were found in women, who were also somewhat older than men in our study. Furthermore, path analysis in the structural equation model revealed that depression was the main predictor of suicidal behaviour as well as of higher anxiety levels and lower self-perceived well-being in the total sample and in both genders. Our findings draw attention to the association between suicidality, depression, anxiety, and well-being in Yucatan young adults and gender differences with this regard. Mental health screening via smartphone might be a useful tool to reach large populations and contribute to mental health policies, including regional suicide prevention efforts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)30767-30779
Number of pages13
JournalCurrent Psychology
Volume42
Issue number35
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2023
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Mexico
  • Smartphone screening
  • Suicidality
  • Well-being
  • Young Adult

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

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