Mental health in adolescents: a first study on the prevalence and associated factors of self-injurious thoughts, behaviours, and psychosocial challenges in Paraguay

Torales J.; Almirón-Santacruz J.; Torres-Romero A.D.; O’Higgins M.; Caycho-Rodríguez T.; Ventriglio A.; Castaldelli-Maia J.M.; Tribe R.; Mahon A.M.; Bhugra D.; Barrios I. · International Review of Psychiatry (2025) · DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2025.2488766

Resumen

Adolescent mental health remains an underexplored area in Paraguay despite its significant implications for public health. This study investigated the prevalence of self-injurious thoughts and behaviours as well as the associated psychosocial and demographic factors among Paraguayan adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 535 adolescents aged 12–18 years from Asunción and the Central Department, using validated instruments, including the PHQ-2 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety, APCTSS for post-traumatic stress, and SDQ for emotional and behavioural issues. The findings revealed alarmingly high prevalence rates of anxiety (40.6%), depression (50.3%), and PTSD (64.5%), with females being disproportionately affected. Non-suicidal self-injury was reported by 30.5% of participants, with significantly higher rates among females. Factors such as bullying, loneliness, and food insecurity were strongly associated with self-harm and suicidal ideation. Logistic regression analysis identified female sex, depression, anxiety, and experiences of bullying as key predictors of self-injurious behaviours. These results highlight the urgent need for school-based mental health interventions, gender-sensitive policies, and trauma-informed care to mitigate the burden of adolescent mental-health disorders in Paraguay. Future studies should explore longitudinal trends and targeted prevention strategies to address this pressing public health concern.

Instituciones: Universidad Científica del Sur