The authors refer to Durkheim's hypothesis about anomy to study suicide risk in immigrants in France: having lost their traditional social roots, the latter group are at a higher risk of suicide. Mortality statistics and the results from the 1980 survey on suicide attempters admitted to hospital in 2 French areas are analysed. Incidence of suicide is lower among foreigners than among French, whatever the nationality, the age or the sex. This situation is in relation with low levels of suicide in immigrants' native countries. However, immigrants have higher suicide rates than their compatriots. Two particularities are underlined. Differences between French and foreigners are reduced for men over 60, which may result from their integration within the host country. And young women from North Africa have a similar suicide rate to French women: intergenerational conflicts might explain their numerous suicides. Incidence of suicide attempts in male immigrants is similar to that for French men but female immigrants, especially adolescents (4 times higher), have higher suicide attempt rates than French women. Foreign suicide attempters are more often female (8 out of 10 attempted suicides are carried out by women), and younger subjects. Youths from North Africa live more frequently with their parents in a large family; they are more often unemployed than others. They use drugs and alcohol less frequently for suicide attempts. Spanish and Portuguese immigrants make fewer suicide attempts. French adults make more severe attempts (alcohol use, isolation, repetition, deep coma). Foreigners have less known psychiatric problems, and less mental disorders connected with their suicide attempts. The psychopathology of the immigrant's family is less frequently involved. International studies with the same methodology give similar results, as regards differences in incidence as well as social and medical characteristics. Suicide attempts in migrants are less associated with personal or familial psychopathology. This confirms the hypothesis of a more impulsive act and underlines the burden of a socio-cultural situation.

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male sex difference female major clinical study adult psychological aspect impulsiveness employment sex human Suicide migration drug abuse age