Immigrants have higher rates of suicidal behavior than those in their countries of origin and their new countries. Immigration is a stressful life event which may lead to depression and suicidal behavior. Depressive disorders and suicidal behavior have a firm neurobiological and genetic basis. The author suggests that most immigrants who exhibit suicidal behavior in the new country had suicidal tendencies, and/or some degree of depression, and/or certain maladaptive personality traits in their countries of origin. The paper emphasizes the role of genetic and neurobiological factors in the human response to stressful events.

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heredity neurobiology priority journal Personality depression immigrant pathogenesis Article suicidal behavior human maladjustment life event