Archives of Suicide Research
Volume 12, Issue 1, 2008, Pages 82-92

Immigration and suicide: The role of marital status, duration of residence, and social integration (Article)

Kposowa A.J.* , McElvain J.P. , Breault K.D.
  • a University of California, Riverside, United States, Department of Sociology, 1214 Watkins Hall, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, United States
  • b University of California, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Riverside, United States
  • c Middle Tennessee State University

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of immigration on suicide. An unmatched case-control design was employed. Data on cases were obtained on suicides in Riverside County, California, 1998 to 2001. Information on controls was obtained from the 2000 Census. Immigration increased suicide risk. Immigrant divorced persons were over 2 times more likely to commit suicide than natives. Single immigrants were nearly 2.6 times more likely to kill themselves than the native born. Shorter duration of residence was associated with higher suicide risk. Integration of immigrants in receiving societies is important for decreasing suicide. Policies aimed at reducing suicide should target more recent immigrants.

Author Keywords

social integration Immigration Suicide divorce Duration of residence

Index Keywords

psychological aspect demography human middle aged statistics Marital Status Residence Characteristics marriage United States Humans California male female Article adult migration Catchment Area (Health) Emigration and Immigration residential care social class Suicide
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-38849137250&doi=10.1080%2f13811110701801044&partnerID=40&md5=4b9d2870043e88e5d8d7e9acfab63fbf
DOI: 10.1080/13811110701801044
ISSN: 13811118
Cited by: 39
Original Language: English