Rb. Feijo et al., MENTAL-HEALTH SCREENING BY SELF-REPORT QUESTIONNAIRE AMONG COMMUNITY ADOLESCENTS IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL, Journal of adolescent health, 20(3), 1997, pp. 232-237
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.