Suicide attempts of Puerto Rican immigrants

Summary

The emotional disturbance of Puerto Rican immigrants who attempted suicide has been studied and its relation to the immigration situation evaluated. It has been demonstrated that the interruption and subsequent disturbance of the individual's social and cultural stability causes personality conflicts and emotional illness, out of which an atmosphere favorable to suicide can develop.

One can clearly distinguish between two different immigration situations of a disturbing character. In the beginning, it is the sudden disruption of the familiar life situation and the social dislocation that cause a “hangover depression” after emigration; and, in the transition period of adapting, the change of social concepts and cultural values causes conflicts and disintegration of the family, leading to unhappiness and tension with trends toward suicide.

The typical form of suicide attempt in all cases was the “suicidal fit,” which is a conversion reaction in a nonpsychotic individual. It has been pointed out that a relationship exists between suicide pattern and basic illness, out of which the suicide crisis develops. The technical aspect of the suicide attempt and its outcome is modified by the environmental situation.