MENTAL-HEALTH SCREENING BY SELF-REPORT QUESTIONNAIRE AMONG COMMUNITY ADOLESCENTS IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL

Purpose: To evaluate the frequency of symptoms of depression, suicidal ideation, suicide behavior, and hopelessness among adolescents in sou thern Brazil. Methods: The Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ) was adminis tered to a random sample of 126 community youngsters to screen for men tal problems, the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating scale for signs and symptoms of depression, an adapted version of DIS (Diagnostic Inte rview Schedule) for suicidal ideation and behavior, and the Beck's Hop elessness scale (adapted version). Social class, cognitive performance , age, and sex were also analyzed. Results: Levels of symptoms of depr ession, suicidal ideation and behavior, and hopelessness were higher a mong those who were SRQ positive (8%). Female youngsters presented hig her SRQ scores and on the Montgomery-Asberg scale. Cognitive performan ce was similar among all groups. Differences were not found according to social classes. The 15-17-year-old individuals (middle stage) prese nted higher hopelessness than the other stages of adolescence. Conclus ions: The present findings suggest that screening for mental health co nditions by self-report questionnaires may be of value to identify gro ups at major risk for violent, self-destructive behavior among communi ty adolescents. (C) Society for Adolescent Medicine, 1997.