International journal of environmental research and public health
Volume 15, Issue 7, 2018

Suicide Risk among Immigrants and Ethnic Minorities: A Literature Overview (Review) (Open Access)

Forte A. , Trobia F. , Gualtieri F. , Lamis D.A. , Cardamone G. , Giallonardo V. , Fiorillo A. , Girardi P. , Pompili M.
  • a Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00189, Italy
  • b Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00189, Italy
  • c Psychiatry Residency Training Program, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00189, Italy
  • d Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303, United States
  • e Psychiatric Department, Azienda USL Toscana Sud-Est, Siena, 53100, Italy
  • f Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, 80138, Italy
  • g Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, 80138, Italy
  • h Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00189, Italy
  • i Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00189, Italy

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated that immigrants and ethnic minorities may be at higher risk of suicidal behaviour as compared to the general population. We conducted a literature search to identify studies in English from 1980 to 2017 related to suicide risk among immigrants and ethnic minorities. Six hundred and seventy-eight reports were screened, and 43 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis of the review. Some studies reported lower rates of suicide attempts, while other findings suggested higher rates of suicidal behaviour and deaths among immigrants as compared to the native population. Also, a positive correlation was found between suicidal behaviour and specific countries of origin. Non-European immigrant women were at the highest risk for suicide attempts, a group which included young women of South Asian and black African origin. Risk factors among migrants and ethnic minorities were found to be: language barriers, worrying about family back home, and separation from family. The lack of information on health care system, loss of status, loss of social network, and acculturation were identified as possible triggers for suicidal behaviour. Overall, results suggest that specific migrant populations and ethnic minorities present a higher risk of suicidal behaviour than native populations, as well as a higher risk of death by suicide.

Author Keywords

prevention ethnic minorities immigrants Suicide

Index Keywords

minority group human middle aged suicide attempt Ethnic Groups ethnic group Aged Suicide, Attempted ethnology Young Adult Humans migrant psychology Minority Groups male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Aged, 80 and over female very elderly risk factor Risk Factors cultural factor adult migration Transients and Migrants suicidal ideation
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85053733728&doi=10.3390%2fijerph15071438&partnerID=40&md5=09fd580c463cec859ca6a9d77dd65b40
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15071438
ISSN: 16604601
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English