Prevalencia de depresión y riesgo suicida en jóvenes universitarios: Un análisis comparativo entre diferentes niveles de depresión

Abstract

Abstract: Depression and suicidal risk are a complex issue in the mental health of young university students, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to review how many students show depressive symptoms and how many are at risk of taking their own life, in addition to comparing the danger between different degrees of depression and seeing how these problems are linked. A quantitative, non-experimental, transactional correlational approach was used. The sample included 400 students belonging to the Faculty of Health Sciences of a university in Loja and was chosen through a convenience sample. The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Plutchik Suicide Risk Scale were used to collect data. The data indicates that 84.2% present some level of depression, being the most common level. Almost half, 48.8%, show a moderate or high suicide risk. Furthermore, there is a statistically significant evaluation between both measures (p = .668; p < .001). The results indicate the need to implement preventive programs and early intervention strategies in the university context.