Socio-Cultural Factors and Suicidal Risk in a Clinical Sample of Latinx Adolescents

• In Event: Stress and Stress Responses: Social, Cultural, and Biological Links to Adolescent Suicidality

Abstract

Many Latinx families immigrate to the United States each year. With immigration comes stressors associated with adjusting to a new culture, collectively known as acculturation stress. Acculturation stress and other socio-cultural variables particular to Latinx youth have been related to higher rates of suicidal behaviors. Over the years, Latinx adolescents in the US as a group have reported a higher prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts in comparison to their Non-Hispanic peers, with Latinas being at the highest risk. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in 15 to 24-year-olds in the United States (US) as well as among Hispanics (CDC, 2018). The objective of this study was to assess the association between socio-cultural factors and suicide risk variables in a clinical sample of Latinx adolescents living in the US. Forty-six adolescents were recruited from intensive psychiatric care units (e.g. partial and inpatient psychiatric units) in Rhode Island as part of a parent grant. The adolescents completed self-report questionnaires. Suicide risk variables were suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms. Socio-cultural factors assessed were discrimination, biculturality, acculturation, language preference, spirituality, generational status, and ethnic identity. Pearson correlations were made to determine the association among these variables. The results showed that some socio-cultural variables were moderately related to suicidal risk variables. Higher perceived discrimination was significantly associated with increased depressive symptoms. Teens’ Latinx identity was not associated with any suicidal risk variables. However, a stronger connection with American identity (acculturation) was related to less perceived discrimination and less severity in suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. Less spirituality was related to increased severity in depressive symptoms and hopelessness, while increased spirituality was related to stronger connections with both Latin and American identities. These results partly support the Latinx Paradox which explains that keeping one’s own culture (enculturation) functions as a protective factor despite social disadvantages. In addition, the results suggest that acculturation and enculturation are two different processes in which biculturalism appears to be healthier than embracing one culture. As a cross-sectional study with a small sample, generalizations and causality conclusions cannot be made. In summary, understanding the association between sociocultural variables and suicidal risk within Latinx families in the US is fundamental for providing appropriate support and treatment.

Authors

• Gisela Jimenez-Colon, Brown University
  Presenting Author

• Yovanska Duarte-Velez, Brown University
  Non-Presenting Author