Abstract

ULATE-GOMEZ, Daniel. Biopsychosocial risk and perception of the functionality of the family amongst adolescents from sixth grade in the Jesús Jiménez School. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2013, vol.55, n.1, pp.18-23. ISSN 0001-6002.

Aim: Adolescence is a crucial stage in life. It is characterized by profound changes that define the passage from childhood to adulthood. The proactive detection of risk factors and an early intervention are essential to prevent risky behaviors. The objective of the study was to describe the prevalence of bio psychosocial risk and how adolescents perceive the functionality of the family. Methods: The study’s population was composed of 124 adolescents in sixth grade. The study included both men and women, over the age of 10 years, for whom their parents had provided informed consent. They answered 2 questionnaires: Tamizaje de Riesgo del Programa de Atención Integral del Adolescente (Risk Assessment of the Adolescent Integral Care Program); (PAIA) and the Family APGAR. Results: The most frequent risk factors were: absence of confidant (36.3%), feeling of depression (23.4%), participation in fights (12.1%) and death-related ideas (8.1%). The prevalence of a functional family was 68.6%, of mild dysfunction 27.4% and of severe dysfunction, 4%. The perception of a good family function by adolescents was related to low biopsychosocial risk (p=0.011), greater communication with parents (p=0.000), absence of a feeling of depression (p=0.002), absence of death-related ideas (p=0.000) and absence of suicide attempts (p=0.003). Conclusions: The biggest problems found in adolescents were absence of a confidant, feeling of depression, participation in fights and death-related ideas. The functional family was shown as a protective factor against depressive symptoms, death-related ideas and suicide attempts.

Keywords : Adolescent; family; risk-taking; family and community practice; family relationships..

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