Estrés percibido y riesgo suicida en estudiantes universitarios

Abstract

Suicide has become the fourth leading cause of death among young people aged 15 -29 years because it is a mental health problem. The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between perceived stress and suicidal risk in a sample of 360 (77.8% women and 22.2% men), students of the Technical University of Ambato in the careers of Nursing, Nutrition and Dietetics. The study had a quantitative approach, non -experimental design, cross-sectional and correlational scope. The Perceived Stress Scale, Spanish version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) adapted by Dr. Eduardo Remor in 2006 and Plutchik's Suicidal Risk Scale (ERSP) adapted by Rubio et al. As a result, a positive correlation of moderate intensity was found between perceived stress and suicidal risk. Likewise, a mean of 27.5 was found in the participants; with respect to suicidal risk, 71.7% presented a lower risk, while 28.3% presented a higher risk. However, with regard to the comparison of suicide risk means according to gender, no significant differences were found between men and women. In conclusion, perceived stress is a risk factor for suicidal behavior, that is, a greater presence of perceived stress increases suicidal risk in unive rsity students.