espanolEl objetivo de este articulo es identificar la estructura familiar del adolescente y su relacion con la ideacion suicida, asimismo, identificar el nivel de desesperanza y compararla por sexo. Se realizo un estudio cuantitativo transversal en 185 alumnos entre 12 y 15 anos que se encuentran en una secundaria considerada de riesgo. Se exploraron tres dimensiones: estructura familiar, percepcion sobre la ideacion suicida, y la escala de desesperanza de Beck. Los resultados indican que los hombres presentan diferencias significativas en el nivel de desesperanza reportado (.009): la relacion con el padre se asocia con el pensamiento suicida (r=.303, p£.010) y la relacion con la madre en ver el suicidio como una salida a los problemas del adolescente (r=.234, p£.010). Se concluye que la estructura familiar del adolescente y factores de riesgo como antecedentes de violencia, consumo de alcohol y drogas en la familia se relaciona con los pensamientos suicidas. Se sugiere realizar estudios en profundidad en esta poblacion e incluir variables como pertenecer a pandillas, involucrarse en peleas, nivel educativo de los padres, asi como el soporte social percibido para relacionarlo con el nivel de desesperanza y la ideacion suicida EnglishThe increase in suicidal behavior in adolescents at this time has directed attention to factors that can change young people’s behavior and thus influencing suicidal tendencies. The objective is to identify the family structure of the adolescent, and its relationship in suicidal ideation, its causes and consequences, also identify the level of hopelessness and comparison by gender. A quantitative transverse study was conducted in 185 students in a high-risk secondary school. Three dimensions were explored, family structure, perception of suicidal ideation: Causes and consequences, and Beck’s scale of hopelessness. The results indicate that men have significant differences in the level of hopelessness reported, the relationship with the father is associated with suicidal thinking and the relationship with the mother in seeing suicide as an outlet to the problems of the teenager. It is suggested to conduct studies at a greater depth in this population, and include variables Like gang membership, engaging in fights, parental education level and drug use, as well as perceived social support to relate the level of hopelessness to these risk factors.