Cultural Disparities of Suicidal Behavior in At Risk Populations

Abstract

Adolescent suicide remains a debilitating and tragic phenomenon in the United States. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents, accounting for a greater number of fatalities than the next seven leading causes combined for 15 to 24-year-olds (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2006). Distinct ethnic groups show unique patterns suicidal behavior. “At risk” populations are classified as those with disproportionately high suicide attempt rates, among them being Latinos and African Americans, but also including American Indian/Alaska Natives and Asian American/Pacific Islanders. Because of the immense statistical differences of suicide rates among minority populations, further research is necessary to explore suicide perceptions and suicidal behavior according to various facets: ethnicity, gender, and the distinct risk and protective factors belonging to each group. This study attempted to explore these demographic groups in order to determine which were at further risk for suicidal behavior than others. Latino participants (n=X) were matched with African American (n=X) and American Indian (n=X) participants and each group completed a suicide awareness questionnaire examining perceptions of depression, suicidal risk and coping. Results incomplete but soon to come.