Abstract
Although existing research suggests there are differences in the expression of suicidal ideations (SI) and behaviors among various ethnic groups, few studies have examined cultural risk factors among racially and ethnically diverse adolescents. This study employed a qualitative analysis of semi-structured suicide assessments of European American (EA), Asian American (AA), and Hispanic American (HA) adolescents to explore the types of cultural risk factors that are reported within school-administered suicide risk assessments. Cultural factors previously noted in the literature and several new factors were found. The results yielded a relationship between suicide risk and protective factors related to the family system. Specifically, family support was found more frequently in EA adolescent suicide assessment records, in contrast to family rejection and the family wanting the SI to be kept quiet from others being found more frequently in AA records. Furthermore, lack of sense of belonging, perceived burdensomeness, and perfectionism were found more frequently in AA and HA records compared to EA records. Since previous research on risk and protective factors have largely been conducted with adult populations, this study highlights the existence of cultural risk and protective factors in a racially diverse sample of adolescents.
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Yip, B., Liu, L. & Kim, S.J. Exploring cultural risk factors for suicide in Asian American, European American, and Hispanic American adolescents. Curr Psychol 42, 11039–11048 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02399-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-02399-8