Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Duration of US residence and suicidality among racial/ethnic minority immigrants

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The immigration experience embodies a range of factors including different cultural norms and expectations, which may be particularly important for groups who become racial/ethnic minorities when they migrate to the US. However, little is known about the correlates of mental health indicators among these groups. The primary and secondary aims were to determine the association between duration of US residence and suicidality, and 12-month mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, respectively, among racial/ethnic minority immigrants.

Methods

Data were obtained from the National Survey of American Life and the National Latino and Asian American Survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between duration of US residence, and suicidality and 12-month psychopathology.

Results

Among Afro-Caribbeans, there was a modest positive association between duration of US residence and 12-month psychopathology (P linear trend = 0.016). Among Asians there was a modest positive association between duration of US residence and suicidal ideation and attempts (P linear trend = 0.018, 0.063, respectively). Among Latinos, there was a positive association between duration of US residence, and suicidal ideation, attempts and 12-month psychopathology (P linear trend = 0.001, 0.012, 0.002, respectively). Latinos who had been in the US for >20 years had 2.6 times greater likelihood of suicidal ideation relative to those who had been in the US for <5 years (95 % CI 1.01–6.78).

Conclusions

The association between duration of US residence and suicidality and psychopathology varies across racial/ethnic minority groups. The results for Latino immigrants are broadly consistent with the goal-striving or acculturation stress hypothesis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Injury Center:Violence Prevention. 2012 Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/suicide/statistics/leading_causes.html, Accessed 16 Oct, 2012

  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: WISQARS. 2012 Available at: http://webappa.cdc.gov/sasweb/ncipc/mortrate10_us.html, Accessed 15 Oct, 2012

  3. Borges G, Orozco R, Rafful C et al (2012) Suicidality, ethnicity and immigration in the USA. Psychol Med 42:1175–1184

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Lewinsohn PM, Rohde P, Seeley JR (1994) Psychosocial risk factors for future adolescent suicide attempts. J Consult Clin Psychol 62:297–305

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Reinherz HZ, Giaconia RM, Silverman AB et al (1995) Early psychosocial risks for adolescent suicidal ideation and attempts. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 34:599–611

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Shaffer D, Gould MS, Fisher P et al (1996) Psychiatric diagnosis in child and adolescent suicide. Arch Gen Psychiatry 53:339–348

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Park S, Choi JW, Yi KK et al (2012) Suicide mortality and risk factors in the 12 months after discharge from psychiatric inpatient care in Korea: 1989–2006. Psychiatry Res 208:145–150

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Gould MS, Greenberg T, Velting DM et al (2003) Youth suicide risk and preventive interventions: a review of the past 10 years. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 42:386–405

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Leu J, Yen IH, Gansky SA et al (2008) The association between subjective social status and mental health among Asian immigrants: investigating the influence of age at immigration. Soc Sci Med 66:1152–1164

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Frisbie WP, Cho Y, Hummer RA (2001) Immigration and the health of Asian and Pacific Islander adults in the United States. Am J Epidemiol 153:372–380

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kent M (2007) Population bulletin: immigration and America’s black population 4:1

  12. Borges G, Breslau J, Su M et al (2009) Immigration and suicidal behavior among Mexicans and Mexican Americans. Am J Public Health 99:728–733

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Quinlan-Davidson M, Sanhueza A, Espinosa I et al (2014) Suicide among young people in the Americas. J Adolesc Health 54:262–268

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Blum R, Sudhinaraset M, Emerson MR (2012) Youth at risk: suicidal thoughts and attempts in Vietnam, China, and Taiwan. J Adolesc Health 50:S37–S44

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Nock MK, Green JG, Hwang I et al (2013) Prevalence, correlates, and treatment of lifetime suicidal behavior among adolescents: results from the national comorbidity survey replication adolescent supplement. JAMA Psychiatry 70:300–310

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Breslau J, Aguilar-Gaxiola S, Borges G et al (2007) Risk for psychiatric disorder among immigrants and their US-born descendants: evidence from the national comorbidity survey replication. J Nerv Ment Dis 195:189–195

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Warfa N, Curtis S, Watters C et al (2012) Migration experiences, employment status and psychological distress among Somali immigrants: a mixed-method international study. BMC Public Health 12:749

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Berry JW (1997) Immigration, acculturation, and adaptation. Appl Psychol 46:5–34

    Google Scholar 

  19. Castillo LG, Cano MA, Chen SW, Blucker RT, Olds TS (2008) Family conflict and intragroup marginalization as predictors of acculturative stress in Latino college students. Int J Stress Manag 15:43–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Oh Y, Koeske GF, Sales E (2002) Acculturation, stress, and depressive symptoms among Korean immigrants in the United States. J Soc Psychol 142:511–526

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Ying YW, Han M, Tseng M (2012) Acculturation and post-migration stress in middle-aged Chinese immigrant women in philadelphia: variation between the Fujianese and the non-Fujianese women. J Hum Behav Soc Environ 22:20–38

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Goza F (1994) Brazilian immigration to North America. Int Migr Rev 28:136–152

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Parker S, Kleiner RJ (1966) Mental illness in the urban negro community. Free Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  24. Sellers SL, Neighbors HW, Zhang R et al (2012) The impact of goal-striving stress on physical health of white Americans, African Americans, and Caribbean blacks. Ethn Dis 22:21–28

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Redfield R, Linton R, Herskovit M (1936) Memorandum on the study of acculturation. Am Anthropol 38:149–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Berry JW, Kim U (1988) Acculturation and mental health. In: Dasen PR, Berry JW, Sartorius N (eds) Health and cross-cultural psychology: Toward applications. Newbury Park, CA, pp 207–236

    Google Scholar 

  27. Rumbaut R (2005) Children of Immigrants and their achievement: the roles of family, acculturation, soical class, gender, ethnicity, and school contexts. In: Taylor RD (ed) Addressing the achievement gap: findings and applications: information. Age Publishing, pp 23–59

  28. Kim J, Suh W, Kim S et al (2012) Coping strategies to manage acculturative stress: meaningful activity participation, social support, and positive emotion among Korean immigrant adolescents in the USA. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 7:1–10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Millender E (2012) Acculturation stress among Maya in the United States. J Cult Divers 19:58–64

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Bhugra D (2004) Migration, distress and cultural identity. Br Med Bull 69:129–141

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Jackson JS, Torres M, Caldwell CH et al (2004) The national survey of American life: a study of racial, ethnic and cultural influences on mental disorders and mental health. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 13:196–207

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Alegria M, Takeuchi D, Canino G et al (2004) Considering context, place and culture: the National Latino and Asian American Study. Int J Methods Psychiatr Res 13:208–220

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Andrews G, Peters L, Guzman AM et al (1995) A comparison of two structured diagnostic interviews: CIDI and SCAN. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 29:124–132

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Komiti AA, Jackson HJ, Judd FK et al (2001) A comparison of the composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI-Auto) with clinical assessment in diagnosing mood and anxiety disorders. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 35:224–230

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Evans GW, Kutcher R (2011) Loosening the link between childhood poverty and adolescent smoking and obesity: the protective effects of social capital. Psychol Sci 22:3–7

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Ferrada-Noli M (1997) Social psychological indicators associated with the suicide rate: replying to the socioeconomic hypothesis. Psychol Rep 80:315–322

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. SAS Institute Inc (2010) SAS 9.2 help and documentation: SAS Institute Inc, Cary

  38. African American Migration experience. Caribbean Migration (2005) Available at: http://www.inmotionaame.org/migrations/landing.cfm?migration=10, Accessed 30 Jul, 2013

  39. Kochhar R (2008) Sharp decline in income for non-citizen immigrant households, 2006–2007. Pew Hispanic Center, Available at: http://pewhispanic.org/files/reports/95.pdf, Accessed 30 Jul, 2013

  40. Kang SY, Domanski MD, Moon SS (2009) Ethnic enclave resources and predictors of depression among Arizona’s Korean immigrant elders. J Gerontol Soc Work 52:489–502

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Boydell J, van Os J, McKenzie K et al (2001) Incidence of schizophrenia in ethnic minorities in London: ecological study into interactions with environment. BMJ 323:1336–1338

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Kirkbride JB, Fearon P, Morgan C et al (2007) Neighbourhood variation in the incidence of psychotic disorders in Southeast London. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 42:438–445

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Veling W, Susser E, van Os J et al (2008) Ethnic density of neighborhoods and incidence of psychotic disorders among immigrants. Am J Psychiatry 165:66–73

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Bourque F, van der Ven E, Fusar-Poli P et al (2012) Immigration, social environment and onset of psychotic disorders. Curr Pharm Des 18:518–526

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Baca-Garcia E, Perez-Rodriguez MM, Keyes KM et al (2011) Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among Hispanic subgroups in the United States: 1991–1992 and 2001–2002. J Psychiatr Res 45:512–518

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Kposowa AJ, McElvain JP, Breault KD (2008) Immigration and suicide: the role of marital status, duration of residence, and social integration. Arch Suicide Res 12:82–92

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. United States Census Bureau (2010) 2010 Census: American Fact Finder. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=DEC_10_DP_DPDP1. Accessed 12 Mar 2014

  48. Castle K, Conner K, Kaukeinen K et al (2011) Perceived racism, discrimination, and acculturation in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among black young adults. Suicide Life Threat Behav 41:342–351

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Bursztein Lipsicas C, Makinen IH, Apter A et al (2012) Attempted suicide among immigrants in European countries: an international perspective. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 47:241–251

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Crawford MJ, Nur U, McKenzie K et al (2005) Suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among ethnic minority groups in England: results of a national household survey. Psychol Med 35:1369–1377

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Kosidou K, Hellner-Gumpert C, Fredlund P et al (2012) Immigration, transition into adult life and social adversity in relation to psychological distress and suicide attempts among young adults. PLoS ONE 7:e46284

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Lau AS, Jernewall NM, Zane N et al (2002) Correlates of suicidal behaviors among Asian American outpatient youths. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol 8:199–213

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Sen B (2004) Adolescent propensity for depressed mood and help seeking: race and gender differences. J Ment Health Policy Econ 7:133–145

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Marwaha S, Livingston G (2002) Stigma, racism or choice. Why do depressed ethnic elders avoid psychiatrists? J Affect Disord 72:257–265

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Cabassa LJ (2003) Measuring acculturation: where we are and where we need to go. Hisp J Behav Sci 25:127–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Dillon FR, De La Rosa M, Ibanez GE (2013) Acculturative stress and diminishing family cohesion among recent latino immigrants. J Immigr Minor Health 15:484–491

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

B. Mezuk is supported by a career development award from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (K01-MH093642-A1). The National Survey of American Life is sponsored by the NIMH (Grant # U01-MH57716) and the National Latino and Asian American Survey is sponsored by NIMH (Grant # U01-MH62209), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research. The sponsors had no role in the conceptualization, design, analysis, interpretation, or presentation of the results.

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Division of Epidemiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA

    Monique J. Brown, Steven A. Cohen & Briana Mezuk

  2. Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA

    Briana Mezuk

  3. Research Center for Group Dynamics, Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Briana Mezuk

  4. 830 East Main Street, 8th Floor, Richmond, 23219, VA, USA

    Monique J. Brown

Authors
  1. Monique J. Brown
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Steven A. Cohen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Briana Mezuk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Monique J. Brown.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Brown, M.J., Cohen, S.A. & Mezuk, B. Duration of US residence and suicidality among racial/ethnic minority immigrants. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 50, 257–267 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-0947-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-0947-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation