This cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of suicide planning and associated factors in a representative sample of 12- to-18-year-old students in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Two self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data: a questionnaire, standardized by the World Health Organization, about use of alcohol and drugs, violence, feelings of loneliness and sadness, family relationships, suicide planning, behavior in school, and relationships with friends; and the Body Shape Questionnaire. Prevalence of suicide planning was 6.3%. Multivariate analysis using Cox regression showed that the prevalence of suicide planning was higher among girls and among adolescents that reported problems in the relationships with their parents. Drug use by friends and having a small number of close friends increased suicide planning by 90% and 66%, respectively. Prevalence of suicide planning was two to three times greater among adolescents bullied by classmates or who reported feelings of loneliness or sadness. Adverse family relationships, aggressive interactions with classmates, and depressive symptoms increase the prevalence of suicide planning. Therefore, preventive measures should be developed in schools and should include the family.
Suicide; Adolescent; Family Conflict; Family Relations
