Relationship between hopelessness and suicide risk in Colombian prison population in preventive detention

Resumen

Background: Suicide is a public health problem of important consideration, and in the prison system it is one of the most frequent causes of death. Objective: To determine the level of suicide risk and hopelessness in Colombian inmates in preventive detention, and their possible relationship. Method: The present study is quantitative, with a comparative-correlational design, and an associative, descriptive, and non-experimental strategy. The participants were 100 Colombian inmates, aged between 18 and 65 years, who were in preventive detention. The sample was divided into two groups by age, and into two groups according to time in prison, this for the general analysis. The Beck Hopelessness Scale and the Plutchik’s Suicide Risk Scale were administered. Descriptive, frequency, comparative and correlational analyses were developed. Results: hopelessness and suicide risk varied by age and length of incarceration, but without statistically significant differences (p < .05). Moderate, positive, and significant correlation between variables (Rho = .59; p = .04). Discussion and conclusion: The results suggest implementing adequate psychological assessment processes for these variables, and an adequate and constant accompaniment of persons detained for the first time in preventive detention.