American Journal of Public Health
Volume 99, Issue 4, 2009, Pages 728-733

Immigration and suicidal behavior among Mexicans and Mexican Americans (Article)

Borges G.* , Breslau J. , Su M. , Miller M. , Medina-Mora M.E. , Aguilar-Gaxiola S.
  • a Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria, Mexico City, Mexico, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Mexico City, Mexico, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatria, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Calzada Mex. Xochimilco No. 101-Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, C.P. 10610, Mexico DF, Mexico
  • b Center for Reducing Health Disparities, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
  • c Center for Reducing Health Disparities, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States
  • d Harvard Injury Control Research Center, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • e Mexican Institute of Psychiatry, Mexico City, Mexico
  • f Center for Reducing Health Disparities, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA, United States

Abstract

Objectives. We examined migration to the United States as a risk factor for suicidal behavior among people of Mexican origin. Methods. We pooled data from 2 nationally representative surveys in the United States (2001-2003; n=1284) and Mexico (2001-2002; n=5782). We used discrete time survival models to account for time-varying and time-invariant characteristics, including psychiatric disorders. Results. Risk for suicidal ideation was higher among Mexicans with a family member in the United States (odds ratio [OR]=1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.06, 2.11), Mexican-born immigrants who arrived in the United States at 12 years or younger (OR=1.84; 95% CI=1.09, 3.09), and US-born Mexican Americans (OR=1.56; 95% CI=1.03, 2.38) than among Mexicans with neither a history of migration to the United States nor a family member currently living there. Risk for suicide attempts was also higher among Mexicans with a family member in the United States (OR=1.68; 95% CI=1.13, 2.52) and US-born Mexican Americans (OR=1.97; 95% CI=1.06, 3.65). Selection bias caused by differential migration or differential return migration of persons at higher risk of suicidal ideation or attempt did not account for these findings. Conclusions. Public health efforts should focus on the impact of Mexico-US migration on family members of migrants and on US-born Mexican Americans.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

immigrant psychological aspect survival survival analysis human immigration risk assessment suicide attempt Suicide, Attempted Health Surveys ethnology Mexico Mental Disorders interview mental disease Confidence interval Young Adult United States Humans family Hispanic Adolescent Interviews as Topic risk factor Risk Factors Article suicidal behavior major clinical study adult migration Emigration and Immigration Mexican Americans Child public health suicidal ideation health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-63149192242&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.2008.135160&partnerID=40&md5=6227e0672dfe82c34f7479d0e0e267cd
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.135160
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 47
Original Language: English