Examining the Interplay Among Family, Culture, and Latina Teen Suicidal Behavior

Abstract

In this article, we explored the relationships among culture, family, and attempted suicide by U.S. Latinas. We analyzed qualitative interviews conducted with Latina teen suicide attempters (n = 10) and their parents. We also incorporated data collected from adolescents with no reported history of self-harm (n = 10) and their parents to examine why some individuals turned to suicide under similar experiences of cultural conflict. Our results revealed that Latina teens who attempted suicide lacked the resources to forge meaningful social ties. Without the tools to bridge experiences of cultural contradiction, girls in our sample described feeling isolated and alone. Under such conditions, adolescents turned to behaviors aimed at self-destruction. Unlike their peers who attempted suicide, adolescent Latinas with no lifetime history of attempted suicide were able to mobilize resources in ways that balanced experiences of acculturative tension by creating supportive relationships with other individuals.

“I Just Kept It to Myself”: The Shaping of Latina Suicidality Through Gendered Oppression, Silence, and Violence

“…Despite best intentions, certain parenting strategies may promote silencing and additional risk of violence and mental illness for the daughter. Previous studies from this sample propose that the pull between the dominant, U.S. society and Latino sociocultural scripts creates family conflict surrounding academics, sexuality, and dating (Gulbas & Zayas, , ; Kuhlberg et al., ; Zayas et al., ). While poor parent–child communication is a risk factor for suicidality among Latino youth (Vidot et al., ), this study suggests that unaddressed family and sexual violence may intensify parent–daughter dynamics and contribute to suicidality (Zayas et al., ).…”

“…Family‐level analysis is a qualitative “method for maintaining the family as the unit of analysis” (Knafl et al., , p. 414). The family case summary captures family dynamics while synthesizing individual data across family members (Ayres et al., ; Gulbas & Zayas, ; Gulbas et al., ). Analysis encompassed: (1) coding individual interviews to identify themes for family case summaries, (2) developing a thematic guideline and writing family case summaries using the guidelines, (3) identifying and refining of themes within the family case summaries, and (4) creating a thematic map of the dynamics between Latina adolescents and their parents (Gulbas & Zayas, ; Gulbas et al., ).…”

Life Is Precious: Views of Adolescents and Their Mothers on Methods to Reduce Suicidal Behavior in Latinas

“…These themes include negative feelings, including low self-esteem (Goldston et al, 2008); conflicts between parents and adolescents stemming from issues of acculturation, immigration, and gender roles (Zayas et al, 2010; Zayas & Pilat, 2008; Gulbas & Zayas, 2015; Gulbas et al, 2015); struggles in school (Piña-Watson et al, 2014); and struggles with peer relationships (Goldston et al, 2008), including bullying and stigma due to mental health treatment and suicidal behavior.…”

Suicide Risk and Resiliency Factors Among Hispanic Teens in New Mexico: Schools Can Make a Difference

“…16 In New Mexico, Hispanic people make up approximately half of the population. 17 Studies examining behavioral and cultural factors associated with suicide attempts [18][19][20][21][22] by Hispanic youth provide conflicting results. Being born outside the United States appears protective against suicide attempt for both sexes.…”