Cultural considerations in adolescent suicide prevention and psychosocial treatment - PubMed (original) (raw)

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Cultural considerations in adolescent suicide prevention and psychosocial treatment

David B Goldston et al. Am Psychol. 2008 Jan.

Abstract

Ethnic groups differ in rates of suicidal behaviors among youths, the context within which suicidal behavior occurs (e.g., different precipitants, vulnerability and protective factors, and reactions to suicidal behaviors), and patterns of help-seeking. In this article, the authors discuss the cultural context of suicidal behavior among African American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Latino adolescents, and the implications of these contexts for suicide prevention and treatment. Several cross-cutting issues are discussed, including acculturative stress and protective factors within cultures; the roles of religion and spirituality and the family in culturally sensitive interventions; different manifestations and interpretations of distress in different cultures; and the impact of stigma and cultural distrust on help-seeking. The needs for culturally sensitive and community- based interventions are discussed, along with future opportunities for research in intervention development and evaluation.

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Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1. Suicide Deaths Among Youths as a Function of Gender and Ethnicity

Note. AI/AN = American Indian/Alaska Native; AA/PI = Asian American/ Pacific Islander. a Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006a).

Figure 2

Figure 2. Suicide Attempts Among Youths as a Function of Gender and Ethnicity

Note. AI/AN = American Indian/Alaska Native; AA/PI = Asian American/ Pacific Islander. a Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2006b), Crosby (2004), Grunbaum, Lowry, Kann, and Bateman (2000). b The most recent data available for White, African American, and Latino adolescents are from the 2005 administration of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Data for AI/AN adolescents are available from youths attending Bureau of Indian Affairs schools in 2003. Data from AA/PI adolescents are reported for the years 1991 through 1997 (because of the relatively smaller number of youths in this category; Grunbaum, Lowry, Kann, & Bateman, 2000).

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