Understanding suicidal ideation is crucial for preventing suicide. Although “healthy immigrant effect” is a phenomenon that has been well documented across a multitude of epidemiological and social studies—where immigrants are, on average, healthier than the native-born, little research has examined the presence of such effect on suicidal ideation. The objective of this study is to investigate if there is a differential effect of immigration identity on suicidal ideation and how the effect varies by socio-demographic characteristics in the Canadian population. Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey in year 2014 were used. Multivariate logistic regression was employed. Our findings indicated that recent immigrants (lived in Canada for 9 or less years) were significantly less likely to report suicidal ideation compared with non-immigrants. However, for established immigrants (10 years and above of living in Canada), the risk of suicidal ideation converged to Canadian-born population. Moreover, male immigrants were at significantly lower risk of having suicidal ideation than Canadian-born counterparts; whereas, female immigrants did not benefit from the “healthy immigrant effect”. Our findings suggest the need for targeted intervention strategies on suicidal ideation among established immigrants and female immigrants. © 2018 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Immigrant Suicidal ideation Healthy immigrant effect Gender differences

social impact mood disorder gender relations receiver operating characteristic regression analysis length of residence immigration identity immigrant status healthy immigrant effect demography health survey risk human epidemiology Self Report middle aged immigration sex difference statistics and numerical data controlled study Aged Logistic Models Health Surveys chronic disease Cross-Sectional Studies Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult cross-sectional study migrant Humans Adolescent male Canada Emigrants and Immigrants female questionnaire population research identity Canadian Article low risk population household income adult age statistical model area under the curve Suicide suicidal ideation immigrant population