Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation as Predictors of Alcohol Consumption in Adolescents

Authors

  • Genesis Gallegos Ramírez Universidad Científica del Sur, Perú
  • Mary Mezarina López Universidad Científica del Sur, Perú
  • Jonatan Baños-Chaparro Universidad Privada Norbert Wiener, Perú

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.42.02.369.852

Keywords:

depression, suicidal ideation, underage drinking, mental health, adolescent

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescence, owing to its biological and social changes, is a vulnerable stage. Therefore,
it is crucial to study the adolescent predisposition to alcohol intake and the mental health
factors that may increase this risk, thereby affecting their overall health and development.
Objective: To analyze depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation as predictors of alcohol consumption
in adolescents.
Methods: The research design was non-experimental, predictive, comparative, and quantitative.
In total, 503 adolescents were selected through non-probability sampling, of which 53.9 % were
female and 46.1 % male, with an average age of 15 years. Scales measuring depressive symptoms,
suicidal ideation, and substance use were utilized, as well as statistical analyses included Structural
Equation Modeling (SEM).
Results: The model showed a good fit to the data (CFI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.064 [90 % CI: 0.058, 0.071],
SRMR = 0.059). It was found that depressive symptoms (β = 0.41, p = 0.005) significantly predicted
alcohol consumption positively, while suicidal ideation (β = -0.11, p = 0.382) showed a non-significant
negative relationship.
Conclusions: The findings indicate that depressive symptoms predict alcohol consumption in
adolescents, while the relationship between suicidal ideation and alcohol intake is not significant.
Therefore, it is essential to apply psychological tests to identify indicators and develop a prevention
plan for psychoactive substances in this age group.

Author Biographies

  • Genesis Gallegos Ramírez, Universidad Científica del Sur, Perú

    Psicóloga. Bachiller en Psicología. Estudiante, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Científica del Sur (Perú). 100052998@cientifica.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1907-1480

  • Mary Mezarina López, Universidad Científica del Sur, Perú

    Psicóloga. Bachiller en Psicología. Estudiante, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Científica del Sur (Perú). 100028324@cientifica.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6155-3808

  • Jonatan Baños-Chaparro, Universidad Privada Norbert Wiener, Perú

    Psicólogo. Máster en Docencia e Investigación. Candidato a Doctor en Psicología.
    Docente e investigador, Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Privada
    Norbert Wiener (Perú). jonatan.banos@uwiener.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2604-7822

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Published

2026-07-09

Issue

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

How to Cite

Depressive Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation as Predictors of Alcohol Consumption in Adolescents. (2026). SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL SALUD UNINORTE, 42(2), 384-399. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.42.02.369.852

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