Culturally related stress, hopelessness, and vulnerability to depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in emerging adulthood

Self-injurious thoughts and behaviors among Hispanic/Latine college students in the US: Disaggregating by key sub-group characteristics

Objective: Hispanic/Latine college students are increasingly at high risk to experience self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITBs). This brief report examined SITB prevalence rates among a national sample of Hispanic/Latine college students, with specificity to sub-group characteristics. Participants: Hispanic college students across 139 institutions from a national survey of college student mental health (Healthy Minds Study) in the US (N = 12,499). Methods: The present cross-sectional, secondary data analysis examines prevalence rates of SITBs by sub-group characteristics (nativity, heritage, documentation status, other socio-demographics) using chi-square analyses and standardized residuals. Results: Younger (18-24 years old; p < 0.001), US-Born (p < 0.001), gender expansive/transgender (p < 0.001), and financially stressed (p < 0.001) Hispanic/Latine college students report higher rates of SITBs overall. Conclusion: Findings underscore the importance of examining overlapping and intersecting identities that can inform prevention efforts for the Hispanic/Latine student population in the US. Policy and institution-level recommendations for resource allocation and tailored prevention strategies are discussed.

The Role of Acculturative Stress on the Mental Health of Immigrant Youth: A Scoping Literature Review

Acculturation after settlement has been identified as a risk factor affecting the mental health of immigrant youth. Increasing rates of immigration and expanding populations of immigrant youth mean that addressing their mental is a priority. Acculturative stress is the stress-response resulting from the effects of multiple stressors that result from the need to acculturate. Among youth within the developmental stages of late adolescence and emerging adulthood, increased sensitivity to stress, and developmental demands, impact their mental health. The effects of acculturative stress place an additional burden on the mental health of immigrant youth. This scoping review examined existing literature that investigated a variety of relationships between acculturative stress and youth mental health. A comprehensive search strategy that focused on studies involving youth, mainly aged between 15-24, with a proximal history of international migration, published between 2012-2022, resulted in a collection of fifty-three studies. This review examined significant relationships between acculturative stress and major depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, substance misuse, behavioural problems and poor psychological wellbeing. This scoping review was truly explorative as it included youth from immigrant minorities, had no geographical limits, and included various study designs. Acculturative stress continues to be an important contributor to the mental health of youth who have a proximal history of international migration. This review provided an exploration of the state of research, identified the importance of the settlement context, and provided recommendations for the direction of future studies, supportive policies, and practice considerations, related to the mental health of immigrant youth.

The impact of acculturative stress on internalizing problems among racially and ethnically minoritized adolescents and young adults in the U.S.: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Due to demographic changes of the U.S. population in the past few decades, more attention has been placed on understanding the sociocultural factors that have an impact on the mental health of racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) groups. One factor that has gained increased attention in recent years is acculturative stress. Acculturative stress is associated with negative mental health outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and suicide ideation (SI). However, the magnitude of this association remains unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to provide a comprehensive review of the impact of acculturative stress on depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and SI among REM youth. We also aimed to explore whether sociodemographic variables (i.e., race/ethnicity, generational status, sex/gender, and age) moderate the relationships between acculturative stress and mental health outcomes. Forty-six peer-reviewed articles examining the link between acculturative stress and internalizing problems among REM youth in the U.S. (mean age range: 13-29) met inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. A positive relationship of moderate size between acculturative stress and depression, anxiety, psychological distress, and SI was found. Moderation analyses also revealed that the impact of acculturative stress on depression may be greater among those who are older and for first-generation immigrants. Similarly, its impact on anxiety may also be more pronounced for first-generation immigrants. Results also suggested that the impact of acculturative stress on depression and psychological distress may be greater among men compared to women. These findings highlight the importance of making sure clinicians assess for acculturative stress when working with REM youth, as well as factors that may be contributing to an individual's acculturative stress level.

Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Suicide Status Form-IV

The Suicide Status Form-IV (SSF-IV) is the measure used in the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS). The SSF-IV Core Assessment measures various domains of suicide risk. Previous studies established a two-factor solution in small, homogeneous samples; no investigations have assessed measurement invariance. The current investigation sought to replicate previous factor analyses and used measurement invariance to identify differences in the Core Assessment by race and gender. Adults (N = 731) were referred for a CAMS consultation after exhibiting risk for suicide. Confirmatory factor analyses indicated good fit for both one- and two-factor solutions while the two-factor solution is potentially redundant. Configural, metric, and scalar invariance held across race and gender. Ordinal logistic regression models indicated that neither race nor gender significantly moderated the relationship between the Core Assessment total score and clinical outcomes. Findings support a measurement invariant, one-factor solution for the SSF-IV Core Assessment.

'I've never been so stressed in my life': a qualitative analysis of young adults' lived experience amidst pandemic restrictions in Prince Edward Island, Canada

OBJECTIVES

This qualitative study aimed to explore how young adults experienced the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to extensive lockdowns, social isolation and psychosocial distress. Specifically, this research focused on how the pandemic impacted those who did not contract COVID-19 and lived in a low-risk geographical location. The focus was young adults given they have large social circles (high risk for disease transmission) and have an increased propensity to mental health conditions. These insights can inform planning for future pandemics.

DESIGN

This paper draws on 30 in-depth semistructured interviews. Data were analysed inductively following the principles of a constructivist grounded theory approach.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

30 young adults living in Prince Edward Island during the COVID-19 pandemic, a Canadian province with a low number of COVID-19 cases at the time of data collection.

RESULTS

We developed four themes that describe the experience of young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) life course disruption, (2) fear and anxiety about the COVID-19 virus, (3) isolation and loss of hope and (4) strategies for managing adversity. Our findings highlight the areas of young adults' lives that were affected by extensive social changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. We demonstrate that even individuals who had not contracted the virus were considerably impacted.

CONCLUSION

We provide a detailed description of the comprehensive impact of COVID-19 on low-risk young adults not previously infected with the COVID-19 virus. By reflecting on the biographical disruption experienced by young adults, we highlight the need and opportunity to direct healthcare resources towards identifying and addressing the secondary impacts of pandemics. Consequently, these findings can guide decisions relating to future pandemic restrictions to better account for the experiences of individuals living through them.

Turning to religion as a mediator of the relationship between hopelessness and job satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals representing the uniformed services or working in professions of public trust in Poland

INTRODUCTION

During the COVID-19 pandemic individuals performing uniformed service or working in a profession of public trust were particularly exposed to chronic stress. The exposure to stress contributes to a decrease in quality of life across various domains, including professional performance. The perceived mental difficulties can lead to a feeling of hopelessness which, in turn can generate a decrease in job satisfaction. Religiosity is a factor which, in stress-inducing conditions, not only stops the spiral of perceived resource losses but also triggers gains in the resources possessed.

AIM

The aim of the study was to assess the preference for positive religious coping strategies, namely turning to religion as a mediator for the relationship between perceived hopelessness and job satisfaction in the individuals declaring religiosity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis has been performed based on the Conservation of Resources theory (COR).

METHODS

The study encompassed 238 individuals representing the uniformed services or working in professions of public trust in Poland. The Inventory for Measuring Coping with Stress (MINI-COPE) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) were used in the research.

RESULTS

The mediating role of turning to religion in relationship between perceived hopelessness and job satisfaction was confirmed only in the group of women. The relationship found in this group indicates that perceived hopelessness is alleviated by turning to religion, which simultaneously leads to an increase in job satisfaction.

CONCLUSION

The obtained results prove that counselling should be standard practice after potentially traumatic events in the workplace; moreover, emotional and/or instrumental support should be offered along with spiritual one.

Self-reported COVID-19 symptoms and perceived likelihood of suicide attempt among Latinx individuals who experience acculturative stress

The impact of COVID-19 has led to a substantial economic and psychosocial burden on the Latinx population. However, few studies have evaluated how COVID-19 symptoms may exacerbate suicide risk indicators among Latinx persons, or the particular social determinants of health facilitating such detrimental effects. The present study examined the association between self-reported COVID-19 symptoms and suicide likelihood (i.e., self-reported perceived likelihood that one will attempt suicide in the future) among Latinx individuals within a timeframe involving high COVID-19 contagion before the onset of vaccine dissemination. Further, the possible moderating role of acculturative stress in the association between COVID-19 symptoms and suicide likelihood was examined. The sample included 200 Latinx participants (67.5% male, Mage = 34.67 years, SD = 9.15) who completed self-report measures on COVID-19 symptoms, suicide likelihood, acculturative stress, depressive symptoms, trauma symptoms, somatic symptoms, and general COVID-19 emotional impact. Findings indicated that self-reported COVID-19 symptoms were positively associated with suicide likelihood. Further, the association between COVID-19 symptoms and suicide likelihood was moderated by acculturative stress, such that the association was only statistically significant at mean or higher levels of acculturative stress but was not significant among participants with lower acculturative stress. The moderation effect was statistically significant after controlling for sociodemographic factors, depressive symptoms, trauma symptoms, somatic symptoms, and the general emotional impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current findings indicate that, among Latinx individuals, acculturative stress is a key social determinant of health for marked psychological distress in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

General work stress and suicide cognitions in health-care workers: mediating effect of hopelessness and job satisfaction

Individuals with a satisfactory level of job satisfaction are much less likely to feel hopeless about their future and are more likely to perform efficiently in the workplace. General work stress (i.e., the work-related stress subjectively experienced) is a significant predictor of suicide cognitions. Furthermore, it has been posited that satisfaction and hope are fundamental to life from an existential perspective. We, therefore, tested a hypothetical model of general work stress, suicide cognitions, hopelessness, and job satisfaction. The data were collected from 416 health-care workers through a convenience sampling method. The mediation analysis results revealed significant negative and positive relationships among general work stress, suicide conceptions, hopelessness, and job satisfaction. The findings indicate that hopelessness and job satisfaction have a parallel mediating effect in the relationship between general work stress and suicide cognitions. The result of the study is of great importance, which suggests that interventions to alleviate hopelessness and work stress and to boost the job satisfaction of medical staff may help prevent suicide cognitions.

Investigating the Role of Suicidality and Ethnic Identity among Black Adolescents: A Latent Profile Analysis

OBJECTIVE

Suicide among Black adolescent youth has steadily increased in recent years, yet few studies describe how facets of social identity shape suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) during this critical stage of development. Ethnic identity represents an underexplored, yet important element of social identity among Black youth that may contribute to differential associations with STBs. This study examined the association between ethnic identity and self-reported suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts.

METHODS

Data were drawn from 1,170 African American (n = 810) and Caribbean Black (n = 368) adolescents aged 13-17 (Mean age = 15) that participated in the National Survey of American Life Adolescent supplement study.

RESULTS

Using latent profile analyses, three patterns of ethnic identity were identified: Undifferentiated, Low Ethnic Identification, and Alienated. Caribbean Black adolescents were more likely to be in the Low Ethnic Identification class relative to the Undifferentiated class. Adolescents in the Undifferentiated group reported higher proportions of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts compared to the remaining latent profile groups.

CONCLUSION

Findings demonstrate that ethnic identity is an important aspect of social identity that can influence STBs among Black adolescents. Considering increased suicide attempts and death rates among Black youth, findings underscore the importance of examining culturally relevant developmental processes that may shape suicidal beliefs and behaviors.

Racial/ethnic discrimination and suicide-related risk in a treatment-seeking group of ethnoracially minoritized adolescents

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Despite growing evidence demonstrating the negative mental health effects of racism-related experiences, racial/ethnic discrimination is seldom examined in youth suicide risk. The present study tested the association between racial/ethnic discrimination and well-supported correlates of suicide-related risk including emotion reactivity and dysregulation, and severity of psychiatric symptoms in a sample of ethnoracially minoritized adolescents receiving outpatient psychiatric services.

METHODS

Participants were adolescents (N = 46; 80.4% female; 65.2% Latinx) who ranged in age from 13-20 years old (M=15.42; SD=1.83) recruited from a child outpatient psychiatry clinic in a low-resourced community in Northeast US. Youth completed a clinical interview and a battery of surveys.

RESULTS

Findings from separate linear regression models show that increases in frequency of racial/ethnic discrimination were associated with increases in severity of suicidal ideation (SI), independent of emotion reactivity and dysregulation, and symptoms of PTSD and depression. Discriminatory experiences involving personal insults, witnessing family being discriminated, and school-based contexts were uniquely associated with SI.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Preliminary findings support the association between racial/ethnic discrimination and increased severity of suicide-related risk in ethnoracially minoritized adolescents. Accounting for racial/ethnic discrimination may improve the cultural responsiveness of youth suicide prevention strategies within outpatient psychiatric care.

Socio-demographic and mental health correlates of internet addiction amongst Hong Kong university students under COVID-19

Introduction

Regarding the problem of Internet addiction (IA) amongst university students under the pandemic, there are several research gaps. Firstly, few studies have examined IA of university students in Hong Kong, which is a Chinese society heavily influenced by Western values. In addition, findings on the socio-demographic correlates and psychological well-being predictors of IA in university students are unclear. Finally, researchers have not systematically examined the interaction effects of socio-demographic factors (particularly gender and personal infection of COVID-19) and psychological morbidity on IA. This pioneer study aimed to investigate the predictive role of socio-demographic factors and psychological morbidity in IA, and the moderating effects of gender and personal infection of COVID-19 on the relationship between psychological morbidity and IA.

Methods

We conducted an online survey (N = 1,020 university students) during the ending phase of Wave 5 of the pandemic in Hong Kong (late 2022 to early 2023). Socio-demographic correlates included age, gender, living status, personal and family financial situation, student status, personal and family infection of COVID-19. Participants responded to validated measures of psychological morbidity, including depression, suicidal behavior, and hopelessness. Hierarchical regression and simple slope analyses were used to examine the predictive role of socio-demographic variables and psychological morbidity in IA and the interactive effect of gender and personal infection of COVID-19 with psychological morbidity on IA.

Results

Personal financial difficulty was a significant socio-demographic predictor of IA. Depression, suicidal behavior, and hopelessness positively predicted IA. We also found a significant interaction effect of gender and psychological morbidity on IA. While the predictive relationship between depression and IA was stronger in males than in females, hopelessness was more strongly related to IA in females than in males. Finally, there was a significant interaction effect of personal infection of COVID-19 and suicidal behavior on IA.

Conclusion

Personal financial difficulty was a socio-economic correlate of IA. Psychological morbidity also predicted IA. Gender and personal infection of COVID-19 moderated the linkage between psychological morbidity and IA. The findings of the study enhance our understanding of individual differences in IA in university students during the pandemic, particularly concerning different ecological risk factors.

Strès ak Pwoblèm Pap Janm Fini: Deciphering migration-related stress from the perspectives of Haitian immigrants in Florida

Relocating and starting a new life in a foreign country may entail a constellation of new stressors for Haitian immigrants; thus, research that enhances our understanding of how this vulnerable population contextualizes migration-related stress is necessary. The objectives of this study were to: (a) identify what factors are associated with migration-related stress, and (b) describe which and why specific migration-related stressors were most significant from the perspective of those suffering from high migration-related stress post migration via the stress proliferation lens of the stress process model. In this mixed-methods, sequential, explanatory pilot study, first-generation Haitian immigrants (N = 76) were recruited to operationalize migration-related stress, using the Demands of Immigration Scale (DIS). Participants (n = 8), who scored 25 or higher on the DIS, completed an in-depth audio-recorded follow-up interview that consisted of open-ended questions and a stressor-ranking questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, multiple linear regression (quantitative), and thematic analysis with a double-coded approach (qualitative) were employed to analyze the data. Female gender, older age, English fluency, and migration after the age of 18 years were associated with higher migration-related stress. However, only gender and English fluency predicted migration-related stress. In interviews, participants ranked five migration-related stressors as most stressful: language barriers, financial strains, loss of social networks, family conflicts, and exposure to discrimination/stigma. A nuanced depiction of migration-related stressors and proliferation mechanisms of migration-related stress may help identify areas where support and preventive efforts should be directed to improve social integration, stress levels, and mental well-being among immigrants.

An Examination of Suicidal Behavior among Black College Students with Exposure to Police Violence

There is limited research about suicidal behaviors among Black emerging adults (peak age of suicide risk) who report exposure to police violence. The current study applies an integrated approach to examine individual, immediate environment, and community-based risk and protective factors of suicide among Black college students who reported previous exposure to police violence. A purposive sample of Black college students (N = 300) was analyzed using bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression. Outcome variables investigated were lifetime suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Twenty-eight percent of participants reported lifetime suicidal ideation and 14 percent reported lifetime attempts. Female students were significantly more likely to report lifetime suicidal ideation and recent symptoms of anxiety and to engage in emotional social support than male peers. Logistic regression results demonstrated that higher income and greater depression symptoms were associated with lower reporting of lifetime suicidal ideation. Reporting of more grit, the trait of perseverance and passion for long-term goals, was associated with a lower reporting of both lifetime suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Findings have implications for how social workers in higher education are encouraged to address suicidal behavior among Black students, including the cultivation of grit.

Examining the mediator and moderator of the link between Migration-Related stress and depression amongst Chinese migrant children

Migration-related stress is detrimental to children's mental health, yet little is known about the potential mechanisms behind this association. This study examines the mediating role of inflow city identity in the association between migration-related stress and depression and the moderating role of social participation amongst Chinese migrant children. A sample of 484 migrant children aged 8-17 years is randomly recruited through a cross-sectional survey in Kunming, China. Inflow city identity partially mediates the association between migration-related stress and migrant children's depression. Moreover, social participation moderates the above relationship. The direct and indirect effects are significant for migrant children with low social participation but insignificant for migrant children with high social participation. This study deepens the theoretical understanding of the underlying mechanism between migration stress and psychological distress and provides practical implications for preventing mental disorders in Chinese migrant children.

Perceived racial discrimination and suicidal behaviors among racial and ethnic minority adolescents in the United States: Findings from the 2021 adolescent behaviors and experiences survey

The objectives of this study were to investigate: (1) the prevalence of perceived racial discrimination (PRD) in school, among racial/ethnic minority adolescents, and (2) the association between PRD and suicidal behaviors among racial/ethnic minority adolescents in the United States. Data from a sample of 3241 racial/ethnic minority adolescents (53.7% female) from the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey were analyzed using binary logistic regression. Controlling for other factors, racial/ethnic minority adolescents who experienced PRD had 1.57 times higher odds of experiencing suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.57, 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) = 1.09-2.25), 1.64 times higher odds of making a suicide plan (AOR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.09-2.49), and 1.67 times higher odds of attempting suicide (AOR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.04-2.68) during the past year. Other factors associated with suicidal behaviors included self-identifying as lesbian/gay, bisexual, or other/questioning; experiencing cyberbullying; feeling sad or hopeless; and poor mental health during the pandemic. The findings of this study extend past research and demonstrate that racial/ethnic minority adolescents who experienced PRD were more likely to report suicidal behaviors over and above other well-established risk factors for suicidal behaviors. Future studies that employ longitudinal designs are needed to elucidate mechanisms underlying these associations.

Beyond Children's Mental Health: Cultural Considerations to Foster Latino Child and Family Mental Health

Clinicians trained to assess and treat child psychopathology are facing an increasing need to expand their clinical expertise outside of traditional frameworks, which have historically focused largely on the child or the child-mother dyad. Clinicians treating children also need to be prepared to assess and address the systems of care that affect a child's mental health, starting with their family. There is a scarcity of Latino mental health providers and limited clinical opportunities or settings that serve this population by incorporating a developmental, cultural, and sociopolitical framework into high quality care of the whole family.

Longitudinal predictors of depression, anxiety, and alcohol use following COVID-19-related stress

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed profound effects on health and daily life, with widespread stress exposure and increases in psychiatric symptoms. Despite these challenges, pandemic research provides unique insights into individual differences in emotion and cognition that predict responses to stress, with general implications for understanding stress vulnerability. We examined predictors of responses to COVID-19-related stress in an online sample of 450 emerging adults recruited in May 2020 to complete questionnaires assessing baseline stress and psychiatric symptoms, rumination, cognitive reappraisal use and intolerance of uncertainty. Stress and symptoms were re-assessed 3 months later (N = 200). Greater pandemic-related stressful events were associated with increases in symptoms of depression, anxiety and alcohol use severity. Additionally, individual differences in emotional and cognitive styles emerged as longitudinal predictors of stress responses. Specifically, greater rumination predicted increased depression. Reduced cognitive reappraisal use interacted with stress to predict increases in alcohol use. An unexpected pattern emerged for intolerance of uncertainty, such that stress was associated with increases in depression for those high in intolerance of uncertainty but increases in alcohol use at relatively low levels of intolerance of uncertainty. These results highlight unique vulnerabilities that predict specific outcomes following stress exposure and offer potential prevention targets.

Chewing Revenge or Becoming Socially Desirable? Anger Rumination in Refugees and Immigrants Experiencing Racial Hostility: Latin-Americans in Spain

This paper explores how real scenarios of racial hostility and discrimination trigger anger rumination tendencies in refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants (hereafter RASI). Undergoing discrimination often leads to the development of negative thoughts and behaviors, and to a loss of meaning and self-worth. This could make young RASI particularly vulnerable to being recruited and exploited by extremist groups as they search for identity. We developed a picture-elicitation instrument (the PEI) to provide professionals with a tool that could identify groups of RASI according to their reactions to discrimination scenarios and explore how racial hostility might influence withdrawal levels. The tool was applied with the Anger Rumination Scale (ARS_19) to 509 RASI of Latin American origin living in Spain. Four categories were identified, according to how RASI processed anger when observing discrimination scenarios: “Social desirability”, “Chewing”, “Grudge”, and “Vengeful”. Further analyses showed that the youngest (18–29) fell under the “Grudge” and “Vengeful” categories and revealed more despair and social isolation. This study makes a positive contribution by being the first to investigate the problem of anger rumination in RASI undergoing racial hostility. Moreover, it equips professionals with two tools that, once validated, may help plan and implement strategies to reduce the impact of hostility on both RASI and their host societies.

Association Between Discrimination Stress and Suicidality in Preadolescent Children

OBJECTIVE

Youth suicide rates in the United States have been increasing in recent years, especially in Black Americans, the reasons for which are unclear. Environmental adversity is key in youth suicidality; hence there is a need to study stressors that have a disproportionate impact on Black youths. We aimed to disentangle the unique contribution of racial/ethnic discrimination from other adversities associated with childhood suicidal ideation and attempts (suicidality).

METHOD

We analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, which included a large, diverse sample of US children (N = 11,235, mean age 10.9 years, 20.2% Black), assessed for multiple environmental adversities including discrimination. Multivariate regression models tested the association of self-reported racial/ethnic discrimination with suicidality, covarying for multiple confounders including other discrimination types (toward non-US-born individuals, sexual orientation-based, and weight-based). Matched analyses contrasted effects of racial/ethnic discrimination and racial identity on suicidality.

RESULTS

Black youths reported more discrimination and higher suicidality rates than non-Black youths. High racial/ethnic discrimination was positively and significantly associated with suicidality, adjusting for other discrimination types (odds ratio = 2.6, 95% CI = 2.1-3.2). Findings remained significant after adjusting for multiple suicidality risk factors. Once experienced, racial/ethnic discrimination was similarly associated with suicidality in White, Black, and Hispanic youths. Matched analyses revealed that racial/ethnic discrimination was associated with suicidality (relative risk = 2.7, 95% CI = 2-3.5), whereas Black race was not (relative risk = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.7-1.2).

CONCLUSION

Racial/ethnic discrimination is disproportionately experienced by Black children, and is associated with preadolescent suicidality, over and above other adversities. Findings highlight the need to address discrimination as part of suicide prevention strategies. Cross-sectional design hampers causal inferences.

Association Between Discrimination Stress and Suicidality in Preadolescent Children

Objective

Youth suicide rates in the United States have been increasing in recent years, especially in Black Americans, the reasons for which are unclear. Environmental adversity is key in youth suicidality; hence there is a need to study stressors that have a disproportionate impact on Black youths. We aimed to disentangle the unique contribution of racial/ethnic discrimination from other adversities associated with childhood suicidal ideation and attempts (suicidality).

Method

We analyzed data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, which included a large, diverse sample of US children (N = 11,235, mean age 10.9 years, 20.2% Black), assessed for multiple environmental adversities including discrimination. Multivariate regression models tested the association of self-reported racial/ethnic discrimination with suicidality, covarying for multiple confounders including other discrimination types (toward non-US-born individuals, sexual orientation-based, and weight-based). Matched analyses contrasted effects of racial/ethnic discrimination and racial identity on suicidality.

Results

Black youths reported more discrimination and higher suicidality rates than non-Black youths. High racial/ethnic discrimination was positively and significantly associated with suicidality, adjusting for other discrimination types (odds ratio = 2.6, 95% CI = 2.1-3.2). Findings remained significant after adjusting for multiple suicidality risk factors. Once experienced, racial/ethnic discrimination was similarly associated with suicidality in White, Black, and Hispanic youths. Matched analyses revealed that racial/ethnic discrimination was associated with suicidality (relative risk = 2.7, 95% CI = 2-3.5), whereas Black race was not (relative risk = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.7-1.2).

Conclusion

Racial/ethnic discrimination is disproportionately experienced by Black children, and is associated with preadolescent suicidality, over and above other adversities. Findings highlight the need to address discrimination as part of suicide prevention strategies. Cross-sectional design hampers causal inferences.Reprinted from J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, Argabright et al., Association Between Discrimination Stress and Suicidality in Preadolescent Children, S0890-8567(21)01355-1, copyright 2021, with permission from Elsevier.

Relational Factors Associated With Posttraumatic Stress Among Emerging Adults of Color Exposed to Community Violence

The relationship between trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) is well-documented, but less is known about factors that contribute to the expression of PTSS following community violence exposure, particularly among emerging adults of color. Utilizing the Person-Environment Interaction model (Slaug et al., 2018), this study examined the role of relational factors, specifically ethnic identity, community cohesion, and social support, associated with PTSS following exposure to community violence. Participants included 243 emerging adult university students of color (M_age = 20.27, SD = 1.95, 83.5% female). Linear regression analyses indicated that less frequent trauma exposure and greater perceived social support were related to lower PTSS. A significant interaction was also found between social support and exposure to community violence, such that at low levels of social support, individuals with more community violence exposure had the highest levels of PTSS. Regression and moderation analyses indicated that ethnic identity and community cohesion were not significantly associated with PTSS in this sample. Findings highlight the importance of incorporating social support strategies in treatments for PTSS following community violence exposure.

Can Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) for Stress Recovery in Green Hotels Affect Re-Patronage Intention?

Our research framework in this paper investigated natural-based solutions (NBSs) at green hotels. We employed attention restoration theory (ART) to test the mediating effect of perceived stress (PS), psychological wellness (PW), satisfaction (SA), and the moderating effect of health consciousness (HC) on re-patronage intentions (RI). Data were collected through a survey of 544 customers who frequently visited green hotels in Korea, and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the research hypotheses. The findings generally supported the hypothesized associations of the study variables within our proposed theoretical framework (PS, PW, SF) in order of the mediating effect on RI and confirmed the moderating effect of HC. In addition, the study’s results have important theoretical and practical implications for the environment. In the former case, our results demonstrate the application of ART and NBS by explaining the effect of the relationship among PS, PW, and SF on RI and confirm the mediating effect of the ART (PS, PW, SF) on RI, as demonstrated in previous studies. Moreover, in the latter case our results may encourage green hotels to participate in the prevention of environmental problems.

Suicide in African American Adolescents: Understanding Risk by Studying Resilience

Historically, suicide rates for African American adolescents have been low,relative to rates for youth of other racial-ethnic backgrounds. Since 2001, however, suicide rates among African American adolescents have escalated: Suicide is now the third leading cause of death for African American adolescents. This disturbing trend warrants focused research on suicide etiology and manifestation in African American adolescents, along with culturally sensitive and effective prevention efforts. First, we revisit leading suicide theories and their relevance for African American adolescents. Next, we discuss health promotive and protective factors within the context of African American youth development. We also critique the current status of suicide risk assessment and prevention for African American adolescents. Then, we present a heuristic model of suicide risk and resilience for African American adolescents that considers their development within a hegemonic society. Finally, we recommend future directions for African American adolescent suicidology. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, Volume 18 is May 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

The Association Between Racism and Suicidality Among Young Minority Groups: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

The World Health Organization states that suicide is the second leading cause of death among youngs, and racism has been proven to have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health. These two plagues represent a public health priority, especially for susceptible minorities.

METHOD

This systematic review analyzed 23 studies from multiple database searches, to understand the relationship between racism and suicidality in young minority groups.

RESULTS

The review demonstrated the correlation between racism and suicidality with the consequent development of mental disorders. There is strong evidence that the main suicide risk factor is acculturation, interpreted as the assimilation of the dominant culture with the loss of values from one's cultural background.

DISCUSSION

Health care professionals should not underestimate the risk of suicidality associated with racism. Prevention is crucial and it should be implemented from a young age, in schools, through a joint intervention with children and their families, aiming toward integration without acculturation.

Depression and Suicide Ideation: The Role of Self-Acceptance for Black Young Adults

Suicide is a leading cause of death for Black young adults. Though depression is commonly linked to increased risk for suicide, empirical literature examining the depression–suicide association and intrinsic buffers for this association remains limited among Black young adults. This study sought to address this gap in the literature by examining the relationship between depression and suicide ideation among Black young adults. Importantly, this study assessed the moderating role of self-acceptance, an index of how content one is with oneself. Study participants included 123 Black young adults (63.5% female, Mage = 20.91 years, SD = 2.45 years) who completed measures evaluating symptoms of depression, suicide ideation, and psychological well-being. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that self-acceptance moderated the association between depressive symptomatology and suicide ideation ( β = −0.05, p < .01, 95% CI [-1.01, −0.11]), such that the depression–suicide ideation association was not significant for individuals who reported high levels of self-acceptance. These findings suggest that self-acceptance may be an important treatment target for interventions aimed specifically at reducing suicide vulnerability among Black young adults.

Social Support and Religiosity as Contributing Factors to Resilience and Mental Wellbeing in Latino Immigrants: A Community-Based Participatory Research Study

Latino immigrants are at increased risk for mental disorders due to social/economic disadvantages and stressful conditions associated with migration. Resilience-the ability to recover from stress-may provide protection given its association with lower rates of anxiety and depression. This study examines the relationship between protective factors, resilience, and psychological distress in Latino immigrants. A community-based participatory research study conducted with a Latino agency using in-person surveys to obtain the following data: Brief Resilience Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, Duke University Religion Index, Multi-group Ethnic Identity measure, and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. Linear regression, and mediation analysis was performed using SPSS. There are 128 participants. Resilience was positively related to social support (p = 0.001) and religiosity (p = 0.006); inversely related to psychological distress (p = 0.001); and mediated the relationship between the two (p = 0.006). Promoting social support and religion in Latino communities can improve wellbeing by increasing resilience and reducing distress.

Exposure to ethnic discrimination in social media and symptoms of anxiety and depression among Hispanic emerging adults: Examining the moderating role of gender

METHOD

Two hundred Hispanic emerging adults from Arizona (n = 99) and Florida (n = 101) completed a cross-sectional survey, and data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression and moderation analyses.

RESULTS

Higher social media discrimination was associated with higher symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety. Moderation analyses indicated that higher social media discrimination was only associated with symptoms of depression and generalized anxiety among men, but not women.

CONCLUSION

This is likely the first study on social media discrimination and mental health among emerging adults; thus, expanding this emerging field of research to a distinct developmental period.

Dimensions of Masculine Norms, Depression, and Mental Health Service Utilization: Results From a Prospective Cohort Study Among Emerging Adult Men in the United States

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of multidimensional masculine norms (“status,” “toughness,” “anti-femininity”) on depression and mental health service utilization among emerging adult men in the Northeast United States. This study examines substance use and hostility as secondary outcomes and depression status as an effect moderator on the relationship between masculine norms and mental health service utilization. This study used data from a prospective cohort study that followed 18- to 25-year-old heterosexual men over 6 months. At baseline and 6 months, approximately 29% and 25% of the sample met the criteria for depression. The results of multivariate linear and logistic regression models found that greater endorsement of masculine status was associated with less depressive symptoms at baseline and 6 months, masculine toughness was associated with more substance use at baseline, and masculine anti-femininity was associated with greater hostility at baseline and 6 months. The multivariate Poisson model found that greater endorsement of status was associated with greater mental health service utilization in the prior year, especially for men not meeting the criteria for depression. In contrast, greater endorsement of anti-femininity and toughness norms was associated with less mental health service utilization; for men endorsing toughness norms, this effect was greater for those who were depressed. This study sheds light on the harmful and protective effects of masculine norms on depression, related mental health outcomes, and mental health service utilization, with implications for gender-tailored approaches to engage and retain young men in mental health services.

Contextual risks and psychosocial outcomes among rural African American emerging adults: A latent profile analysis

African American emerging adults face unique contextual risks that place them at heightened risk for poor psychosocial outcomes. The purpose of this study was to identify profiles of contextual risks among rural African American emerging adults and determine how risk profiles relate to psychosocial outcomes. Our representative sample included 667 fifth graders who live in the rural South and were followed from preadolescence into emerging adulthood. Contextual risks were assessed at ages 19-21 years via six indicators: perceived stress, daily stress, community disadvantage, parent-child conflict, racial discrimination, and childhood trauma. Four psychosocial variables were also assessed at ages 19-21 years: self-regulation, racial identity, parent support, and friend support. Psychosocial outcomes were assessed at age 25 years: education, substance use, future orientation, depressive symptoms, and externalizing behaviors. Latent profile analysis results indicated that the sample could be characterized by three patterns of contextual risk: low contextual risk, high contextual risk, and high contextual risk-childhood trauma. Risk profiles were associated with psychosocial outcomes, with the childhood trauma and high-risk profiles faring worse than the low-risk profile. Further, childhood trauma was particularly predictive of worse outcomes for emerging adults. Findings highlight the need for research and prevention programs that mitigate the effects of contextual risks on psychosocial outcomes for African American emerging adults in rural areas.

Religious Coping, Hopelessness, and Suicide Ideation in Subjects with First-Episode Major Depression: An Exploratory Study in the Real World Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the potential relationships between religious coping, hopelessness, and suicide ideation in adult outpatients with the first episode of major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS

Ninety-four adult outpatients with MDD were assessed through the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and the Scale of Suicide Ideation (SSI). Religious coping was assessed with the Italian version of the Brief RCOPE scale, consisting of seven positive coping items (PosCop) and seven negative coping items (NegCop).

RESULTS

The results showed that the Brief RCOPE PosCop scale exhibited a strong inverse correlation with HAM-D, BHS, and SSI, whereas HAM-D and BHS were positively correlated with SSI. Brief RCOPE NegCop scores were positively correlated only with SSI. Regression analysis with SSI as the dependent variable showed that higher Brief RCOPE PosCop scores were associated with lower suicide ideation, whereas higher HAM-D and BHS scores were associated with higher suicide ideation.

CONCLUSION

Positive religious coping may be a protective factor against the development of suicide ideation, perhaps counteracting the severity of depressive symptoms and hopelessness. The evaluation of religious coping should be performed in all subjects with MDD in everyday clinical practice. However, this study was preliminary, and limitations must be considered.

Stress and depression in the context of migration among Haitians in the United States

Our global communities are becoming increasingly more diverse and interwoven; thus, research that enhances our understanding of the multidimensional relationship between depression and migration among distinct ethnic groups is imperative. This study examined the relationship between migration-related stress and depression and the extent to which that relationship is modified by other factors, through the lens of the stress process model. This cross-sectional pilot study used purposive sampling methods to recruit 76 first-generation Haitian immigrants living in South and West Florida from February 2018-May 2018. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multiple regressions were utilized to assess associations among migration-related stress (Demands of Immigration Scale), depression (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CESD), Zanmi Lasante Depression Symptom Inventory (ZLDSI)), and key demographic variables. Findings showed a strong positive correlation between migration-related stress and depression (CESD (β =.606, 95% CI [.296, .556]) and ZLDSI (β = .624, 95% CI [.242, .440]). Relative to the standardized coefficient, migration-related stress was the strongest predictor of depression after controlling for other predictors. Presence at the 2010 earthquake was the only significant moderator, showing an amplifying effect between migration-related stress and depression (ZLDSI) for those in Haiti during the 2010 earthquake. Consideration of pre-migration factors and the degree of migration-related stress encountered while adapting to life post-migration is critical because they play a significant role in shaping immigrants' depression realities. Community-based services that incorporate or partner with established immigrants to strengthen support for the most vulnerable immigrants early on after migration could serve to mitigate migration-related stressors and facilitate mental health promotion and prevention.

Mental Health Risk Among Members of the Millennial Population Cohort: A Concern for Public Health

PURPOSE

Within the millennial population cohort, identify groups reporting increased risk of nonspecific psychological distress. As the largest living population cohort, taking stock of health and well-being early is necessary as substantial national resources may be needed as this cohort ages.

DESIGN

The 2017 National Health Interview Survey data, an annual multipurpose survey of the US population, was used.

SAMPLE

A sample of 7303 respondents were created by limiting data set to birth years 1980 to 1998.

MEASURES

Outcomes were feeling like everything is an effort, worthlessness, hopelessness, restlessness, nervousness, and sadness. Combined these statements of feeling make up a measure of nonspecific psychological distress, past 30 days.

ANALYSIS

A logistic regression was performed on each outcome. All models controlled for demographic variables known to be associated with psychological distress.

RESULTS

Females are 1.4 times more likely than males to report nonspecific psychological distress (P < .001), whereas Hispanics and Blacks are less likely to report nonspecific psychological distress (odds ratio [OR] = 0.49, OR = 0.57, P < .001). American Indians were less likely to report worthlessness (OR = 0.30, P < .05). However, multiple race individuals increasingly reported hopelessness (OR = 1.55, P < .05). Young adults are less likely than emerging adults to report sadness (OR = 0.85, P < .05).

CONCLUSION

In this sample, racial/ethnic groups fared better than referent groups. Health programs need to integrate intersectional identities into promotion of mental health.

Knowledge of Suicide Risk Factors, But Not Suicide Ideation Severity, Is Greater Among College Students Who Viewed 13 Reasons Why

Objective: To test associations between viewing 13 Reasons Why, Season 1 and past week suicide ideation severity, behavior risk, stigma, and knowledge in college students. To explore whether personal exposure to suicide and depressive symptom severity moderated these associations. Participants: Eight-hundred and eighteen college students, 64% (n = 522) of whom watched 13 Reasons Why. Methods: Students completed surveys online. Multivariate negative binomial regressions were used to test associations between watching 13 Reasons Why and suicide-related variables, and interaction terms. Results: Suicide ideation severity and suicide behavior risk were not significantly associated with viewing 13 Reasons Why; however, there was limited statistical power to detect associations. The association between watching 13 Reasons Why and greater suicide knowledge was stronger among those who did not have personal exposure to suicide. Conclusions: 13 Reasons Why may be a platform for psychoeducation on suicide, particularly among those who do not have personal exposure.

Perceived Discrimination and Risk Behaviors in African American Students: the Potential Moderating Roles of Emotion Regulation and Ethnic Socialization

Prior research has identified perceived discrimination as being a contributing factor in health and mental health disparities. However, there is little research on the relationship between perceived discrimination and behaviors such as hazardous alcohol and illicit substance use and risky sexual behaviors that put people at risk for negative health consequences including HIV. The current research explores the role that cultural factors may play in a tendency for individuals to engage in unhealthy behaviors or an ability to avoid them. A total of 266 college students who self-identified as Black or African American were surveyed on measures of familial ethnic socialization, perceived discrimination, emotion regulation, substance use, and risky sexual behaviors. Findings indicate that perceived discrimination and emotion regulation-suppression were associated with higher levels of hazardous alcohol use, and that emotion regulation-cognitive reappraisal was associated with lower levels of illicit substance use. Implications for intervention and prevention in African American college students are discussed.

Blunted Arousal in Response to Psychological Stress is Associated with Current Suicide Ideation

The purpose of this study was to test the association between arousal in response to psychological stress, as measured by standardized maximum decrease in high-frequency heart rate variability (HF HRV) during a stressful laboratory task, and current suicide ideation (SI). 81 emerging adult college students completed a stressful laboratory task consisting of the computerized Stroop and Cyberball while having their heart activity recorded. Spectral analysis and Fast Fourier transformations were used to decompose and transform the recording into the high (0.15 Hz-0.4 Hz) frequency component. After the task, participants completed the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation to measure current SI, the Beck Depression Inventory-II to assess depressive symptom severity, and a brief medical history. Multivariate negative binomial regression analysis showed that the negative association between SI and arousal in response to psychological stress remained statistically significant when suicide attempt history, depressive symptom severity, female gender, and current smoking behavior were controlled. Identification of potential biomarkers for SI is important for suicide behavior prevention given limits to self-report SI assessment. Our results suggest arousal in response to psychological stress merits further consideration as a biomarker for current SI.

A Qualitative Exploration of South Korean Emerging Adults' Perspectives on Death and Suicide Through Short Stories

Despite the alarming suicide rate among South Korean emerging adults, relatively little is known about their unfettered perspectives on death and suicide. Therefore, an innovative data collection technique was developed to apprehend the meanings that emerging adults attribute to death and suicide in their explorations of the phenomena through a selection of short stories. A convenience sample (N = 114) responded to a survey in which participants transferred their feelings toward death and suicide to characters or events in the short stories. A qualitative content analysis revealed relatively permissive perspectives toward death and suicide. Negative perspectives on death are associated with societal victimization and positive perspectives with naturalistic fatalism. Positive perspectives on suicide are overwhelmingly rooted in existential, individual choices while negative perspectives focus on societal pressures. These perspectives contribute to illuminating tensions between traditionalist collectivism and contemporary individualism in Korean society that could inform suicide prevention initiatives for emerging adults.

Racial/Ethnic Discrimination and Suicidal Ideation in Emerging Adults: The Role of Traumatic Stress and Depressive Symptoms Varies by Gender not Race/Ethnicity

Drawing from Race-Based Traumatic Stress theory, the present study examined whether traumatic stress and depressive symptoms differentially help explain the relation between racial/ethnic discrimination and suicidal ideation across gender and racial/ethnic groups. A racially/ethnically diverse group of emerging adults (N = 1344; M_age = 19.88, SD = 2.25; 72% female; 46% Hispanic) completed a battery of self-report measures. A cross-sectional design was employed with a series of hierarchical linear regression models and bootstrapping procedures to examine the direct and indirect relation between racial/ethnic discrimination and suicidal ideation through traumatic stress and depressive symptoms across gender and race/ethnicity. The findings suggest an indirect relation through depressive symptoms, but not traumatic stress, and a serial indirect relation through traumatic stress to depressive symptoms in young women and young men, the latter of which was stronger in young women. The indirect relations did not vary by racial/ethnic group. Cumulative experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination may impact suicide-related risk via increases in psychiatric symptomology (i.e., traumatic stress and depressive symptoms), particularly in young women. Racial/ethnic discrimination experiences should be accounted for as a potential source of psychological distress in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of suicidal thoughts and behavior, especially among young women endorsing traumatic stress and depressive symptoms. Further research is warranted to better understand the gender difference in the relation between racial/ethnic discrimination and suicide-related risk.

The Role of Familial Incarceration and Ethnic Identity in Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempt: Findings from a Longitudinal Study of Latinx Young Adults in California

Suicide is a leading cause of death among young adults; however, contextual risks and cultural factors are rarely studied in the context of ethnic minority suicidal ideation (SI) and suicidal attempt (SA). This study assessed the association between familial incarceration and suicide behaviors and examined ethnic identity as a potential moderator. Data from a longitudinal study of health among Hispanics (n = 1,094) in California were used to test associations between familial incarceration, ethnic identity, and SA and SI, adjusting for demographic factors and covariates. Approximately 18% and 8% of respondents reported SI and SA, respectively. Compared to no incarceration, or the incarceration of a relative, parental incarceration was associated with higher odds (AOR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.23-3.34) of SI whereas higher affective ethnic identity reduced the odds (AOR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.31-0.89) of SA. Ethnic identity moderated the association between parental incarceration and SI (AOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.13-0.79). Incarceration of a family member can set the stage for exclusion from critical institutions and can have long-term consequences for adult mental health. Promoting a positive ethnic identity may be a promising prevention strategy that could bolster resilience among at-risk, urban minority youth.

Cognitive-Affective Correlates of Suicide Ideation and Attempt: Mindfulness is Negatively Associated with Suicide Attempt History but not State Suicidality

The objective of this study was to test whether 3 cognitive-affective correlates,--mindfulness, emotion reactivity, and depressive symptom severity-have different associations with current suicidal ideation (SI), a history of suicide attempt (SA) and SA + SI among emerging adults. Whether impulsive-aggression (IA) moderated associations between cognitive-affective correlates of suicidal behavior and suicidality was also tested. Survey data on current SI, SA history, mindfulness, emotion reactivity, depressive symptom severity, and IA were collected from 780 emerging adults. Results from multinomial logistic regression analysis showed greater depressive symptom severity among emerging adults with current SI, regardless of SA history. Those with a history of SA reported greater depressive symptom severity and less mindfulness than controls. IA did not moderate relationships of SI and/or SA and mindfulness, emotion reactivity, or depressive symptom severity. Mindfulness is a marker of SA, and depressive symptom severity is associated with current SI and SA history in emerging adults. IA does not moderate these associations. To the extent that a history of SA is indicative of elevated trait-like suicide risk and SI indicates state suicidality, our findings suggest that mindfulness protects against longer-term vulnerability to suicide while depressive symptom severity is associated with suicide state-trait risk.

Perceived Discrimination and Suicide Ideation: Moderating Roles of Anxiety Symptoms and Ethnic Identity among Asian American, African American, and Hispanic Emerging Adults

Suicide is a leading cause of death for vulnerable ethnic minority emerging adults in the United States (Web-based injury statistics query and reporting system [WISQARS], 2015). Perceived discrimination (Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40, 2011, 1465) and anxiety symptoms (Asian American Journal of Psychology, 1, 2010, 18) are two predictors that are theoretically and conceptually related, but have yet to be examined in a simultaneous model for suicide ideation. Existing theory and research suggest that these variables activate similar pathways (American Behavioral Scientist, 51, 2007, 551). This study sought to address this gap in the literature by examining the simultaneous relationship between perceived discrimination and anxiety symptoms as predictors of suicide ideation. The moderating effect of anxiety symptoms on the relationship between perceived discrimination and suicide ideation was examined in a multiethnic sample of emerging adults. Results indicated that anxiety symptoms moderated the perceived discrimination-suicide ideation relationship for Hispanic emerging adults, but not for their Asian American and African American counterparts. Furthermore, ethnic identity has been shown to mitigate suicide risk in the face of other stressors (Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 14, 2008, 75). Ethnic identity emerged as a protective factor for Hispanic emerging adults by further interacting with perceived discrimination and anxiety symptoms to negatively predict suicide ideation. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Acculturation and suicidal ideation among Turkish migrants in the Netherlands✰

More suicidal ideation and higher rates of attempted suicide are found in Turkish people when compared with the general population in Europe. Acculturation processes and related distress may explain an elevated risk of suicide. The current study investigates the association between acculturation and suicidal ideation among Turkish migrants in the Netherlands. The mediating effect of hopelessness and moderating effect of secure attachment are also examined. A total of 185 Turkish migrants living in the Netherlands were recruited through social media and through liaison with community groups. They completed an online survey including validated measures of suicidal ideation, hopelessness, acculturation and attachment style. Mediation and moderation analyses were tested using bootstrapping. Higher participation was associated with less hopelessness and less suicidal ideation. Greater maintenance of one's ethnic culture was associated with higher hopelessness and higher suicidal ideation. Greater participation was associated with less suicidal ideation particularly amongst those with less secure attachment styles. Turkish migrants who participate in the host culture may have a lower risk of developing suicidal thinking. Participation may protect against suicidal thinking, particularly among those with less secure attachment styles.

Spanish Language Use Across Generations and Depressive Symptoms Among US Latinos

Acculturation markers, such as language use, have been associated with Latino depression. Language use may change between generations; however, few studies have collected intergenerational data to assess how language differences between generations impact depression. Using the Niños Lifestyle and Diabetes Study (2013-2014), we assessed how changes in Spanish language use across two generations of Mexican-origin participants in Sacramento, California, influenced offspring depressive symptoms (N = 603). High depressive symptoms were defined as CESD-10 scores ≥ 10. We used log-binomial and linear-binomial models to calculate prevalence ratios and differences, respectively, for depressive symptoms by language use, adjusting for identified confounders and within-family clustering. Decreased Spanish use and stable-equal English/Spanish use across generations protected against depressive symptoms, compared to stable-high Spanish use. Stable-low Spanish use was not associated with fewer depressive symptoms compared to stable-high Spanish use. Exposure to multiple languages cross-generationally may improve resource access and social networks that protect against depression.

Identidad étnica e ideación suicida en adolescentes indígenas

La creciente prevalencia de conductas suicidas en México es un tema que recientemente se ha expuesto en Salud Pública de México como un problema de salud pública. En Chile, las conductas suicidas y el suicidio son también de los principales problemas de salud; y si bien la tendencia mundial está marcada por la baja en las tasas de muerte por suicidio, nuestro país, por el contrario,presenta un aumento de 90% entre los años 1990 y 2011; con base en estadísticas de la Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económicos (OCDE), Corea, Chile y México son los países miembros que más han crecido en cuanto a tasas de suicidio...

The effects of familial acculturative stress and hopelessness on suicidal ideation by immigration status among college students

OBJECTIVES

Based on acculturative family distancing theory, we examined whether familial acculturative stress interacted with hopelessness to predict suicidal ideation differentially among emerging adult immigrant versus nonimmigrant college students.

PARTICIPANTS

We recruited 152 generationally and racially/ethnically diverse college students (42 immigrants) from 2012 to 2013.

METHODS

Participants completed measures of hopelessness, depressive symptoms, ethnic identity, familial acculturative stress, and suicidal ideation.

RESULTS

Immigrant status interacted with hopelessness and familial acculturative stress. Hopelessness was associated with less suicidal ideation among immigrants than among nonimmigrants at a familial acculturative stress score below the 11th percentile, but greater suicidal ideation among immigrants than among nonimmigrants at a familial acculturative stress score above the 72nd percentile.

CONCLUSIONS

Familial acculturative stress may exacerbate the effect of hopelessness on suicidal ideation among immigrant college students, and should be monitored during suicide risk assessment and treatment.

The intersection of nonsuicidal self-injury and suicide-related behavior: Patterns of elevated risk and implications for college mental health

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the overlap of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide-related behaviors (SRB) among college students with regard to demographics, mental health, and coping styles.

PARTICIPANTS

Respondents were 572 undergraduate students at a southwestern public university.

METHODS

Data were collected in 2015. Respondents completed a demographic survey and assessments of NSSI, SRB, internalizing symptoms (ie, anxiety, stress, and depression), aggression, and negative coping strategies. The survey was administered via a Web-based procedure.

RESULTS

Women reported more frequent cutting behaviors than men. Endorsement of NSSI was also associated with an increased likelihood of lifetime SRB. A subgroup of students endorsing both NSSI and SRB demonstrated poorer mental health, more negative coping, and self-reported female sex.

CONCLUSIONS

College healthcare providers may benefit from competency-based training in techniques for the combination treatment of NSSI and SRB, as well as culturally based models of suicide.