Suicidal risk and strategies for coping with stress in Colombian rural population [Riesgo suicida y estrategias de afrontamiento al estrés en población campesina colombiana]

Abstract

Introduction: Suicidal behavior refers to the various behaviors to stop living, it is a multifactorial phenomenon widely studied in the urban population, however, the rural population, especially farmers and agricultural workers, are among the high-risk groups. Objective: Evaluate the relationships between suicidal risk and stress coping strategies in a sample of 76 peasants between 18 and 79 years of age from the municipality of El Santuario, Colombia during the Covid-19 health emergency. Method: For this study, a cross-sectional correlational descriptive design was used. The Suicide Risk Assessment Scale –SRAS– and the Coping Styles and Strategies Scale were used as measurement instru-ments (CSSS). Results: The results found in the SRAS Scale did not indicate clinical levels of suicidal risk. And regarding the EEEAE, the participants almost always used the strategies of Positive Reappraisal, Social Support, Cognitive Disconnection and Problem-Solving skills. There were negative correlations between all the dimensions of the SRAS scale with CSSS, less between the dimensions Depression/Hopelessness and Isolation/social support (SRAS) with Cognitive Disconnection (CSSS) and especially the Positive Reappraisal had a significant weight on suicidal risk. Conclusions: Positive Reappraisal is a coping strategy that can protect mental health in situations of stress associated with suicidal risk of the rural population, farmers, and agricultural workers. © 2022, Universidad Simon Bolivar. All rights reserved.