Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Volume 47, Issue 12, 2012, Pages 1917-1927

Suicide of first-generation immigrants in Australia, 1974-2006 (Review)

Ide N. , Kõlves K. , Cassaniti M. , De Leo D.*
  • a Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Griffith University Mt Gravatt Campus, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Australia
  • b Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Griffith University Mt Gravatt Campus, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Australia
  • c New South Wales Transcultural Mental Health Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • d Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, National Centre of Excellence in Suicide Prevention, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention, Griffith University Mt Gravatt Campus, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122, Australia

Abstract

Purpose: This study analysed suicide rates among firstgeneration immigrants in Australia from 1974 to 2006, and compared their suicide risks against the Australian-born population. It also examined the associations between the suicide rates of immigrants from 23 selected countries of birth during 2001-2006, and in their home countries. Method Age-standardised suicide rates (15+ years) and rate ratios, with a 95 % confidence interval, during 1974-2006 were calculated for country of birth (COB) groups. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was calculated between COB-specific immigrant suicide rates during 2001-2006 in Australia and in their homelands. Results: Suicide rates showed a decreasing time-trend among all COB groups for both genders in Australia. The lowest suicide rates were found during 2004-2006, compared to other year groups. Throughout the study period, males born in Eastern, Northern and Western Europe and New Zealand had the highest suicide rates in Australia. For females, the highest rates were among those born in Western Europe and the UK (including Ireland). Male and female migrants born in North Africa and the Middle East, Southern and Central Asia and South East Asia showed the lowest suicide rates. There was a significant correlation between male immigrant suicide rates by COB and the rates of their home countries. Conclusion: The patterns of suicide rates in immigrants were influenced by the social and cultural norms of their COB. The overall decrease in suicide risk among immigrants was particularly evident in males. © Springer-Verlag 2012.

Author Keywords

country of birth suicide rates immigrants Gender differences

Index Keywords

Australia psychological aspect Europe sex ratio human sex difference middle aged Asia statistics Ethnic Groups ethnic group Confidence Intervals comparative study Time Factors ethnology Confidence interval Young Adult Humans Cross-Cultural Comparison Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Risk Factors Africa cultural factor Article adult migration Sex Factors Sex Distribution Suicide time
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84872347989&doi=10.1007%2fs00127-012-0499-4&partnerID=40&md5=7acf4de206ce7ce3b2fbecfd9db916f8
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-012-0499-4
ISSN: 09337954
Cited by: 26
Original Language: English