Social Science Quarterly
Volume 99, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 1510-1521

How Does Immigration Affect Suicide? An Analysis of U.S. Metropolitan Areas* (Article)

Krivo L.J.* , Phillips J.A.
  • a Rutgers University, United States
  • b Rutgers University, United States

Abstract

Objective: Limited research investigates the relationship between levels of immigration, a source of societal integration and regulation, and U.S. suicide rates. We examine the aggregate immigration–suicide link during the 2008–2010 period, in light of the 30-year high in suicide rates and concern about deleterious effects of immigration on the well-being of American society. Methods: We use data on 250 U.S. metropolitan areas and ordinary least squares regression to examine the association between immigration and suicide for 2008–2010. Results: Net of controls, recent immigration, is linked to lower suicide levels for the native-born population but has no association with foreign-born suicide rates. High levels of immigration are most protective for native-born suicide under favorable economic conditions. Conclusions: Immigration is not a threat to societal health in terms of higher suicide rates. Future research should consider the mechanisms through which beneficial effects of immigration on suicide rates operate. © 2018 by the Southwestern Social Science Association

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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85055864267&doi=10.1111%2fssqu.12517&partnerID=40&md5=3cfafacb6c4ef127f270eb35a1f1d0b8

DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.12517
ISSN: 00384941
Original Language: English