Why do so many latina teens attempt suicide? A conceptual model for research.

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TitleWhy do so many latina teens attempt suicide? A conceptual model for research.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2005
AuthorsZayas, LH, Lester, RJ, Cabassa, LJ, Fortuna, LR
JournalAm J Orthopsychiatry
Volume75
Issue2
Pagination275-87
Date Published2005 Apr
ISSN0002-9432
KeywordsAdolescent, Culture, Family, Female, Hispanic Americans, Humans, Psychological Theory, Social Environment, Suicide, Attempted
Abstract

Rates of suicide attempts among adolescent Latinas have been reported to be higher than for their non-Hispanic counterparts. Yet researchers know very little about the attempts, their antecedents, and why the girls attempt suicide. Latina girls have been included in research on suicidal adolescents and typically show higher rates of attempts relative to similar psychopathology when compared with other young women. A few small studies have focused on Latinas, but none have explored why suicide attempt rates are higher. The authors constructed a conceptual model to provide a formulation of this phenomenon on the basis of a review of the literature on suicide attempts among Latinas and their clinical experience. This model can serve as a framework to guide research on the unique sociocultural processes present in Latina adolescent suicide attempts and may also benefit the work of clinicians.

DOI10.1037/0002-9432.75.2.275
Alternate JournalAm J Orthopsychiatry
PubMed ID15839764
Grant ListR01 MH070689 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
R24 MH50857 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States
T32 MH019960 / MH / NIMH NIH HHS / United States