Mental health, migration stressors and suicidal ideation among Latino immigrants in Spain and the United States

Abstract

Background Immigration stress appears to augment the risk for suicide behaviors for Latinos. Yet, specific risk factors that contribute to suicidal ideation (SI) among diverse Latino immigrant populations are not well established. Methods Data were collected in Boston, Madrid and Barcelona using a screening battery assessing mental health, substance abuse risk, trauma exposure, demographics, and socio-cultural factors. Prevalence rates of lifetime and 30-day SI were compared across sites. Logistic regression modeling was used to identify socio-demographic, clinical, and socio-cultural-contextual factors associated with 30-day SI. Results 567 Latino patients from primary care, behavioral health and HIV clinics and community agencies participated. Rates of lifetime SI ranged from 29-35%; rates for 30-day SI were 21-23%. Rates of SI were not statistically different between sites. Factors associated with SI included exposure to discrimination, lower ethnic identity, elevated family conflict, and low sense of belonging (p<0.01). In the adjusted model, higher scores on depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and trauma exposure were significantly associated with 30-day SI (OR = 1.14, 1.04, and 7.76, respectively). Greater number of years living in the host country was significantly associated with increased odds of having SI (OR=2.22) while having citizenship status was associated with lower odds (OR=0.45). Conclusion Latinos suffering depression, trauma exposure, and immigration stressors are more likely to experience SI. Despite differences in country of origin, education, and other demographic factors between countries, rates of SI did not differ. Recommendations for prevention and clinical practice for addressing suicidal ideation risk among Latino immigrants are discussed.

Are suicidal behaviors more prevalent among rural-to-urban migrants than non-migrant rural and urban residents in Wuhan, China? –Evidence from a GIS/GPS-assisted probability sample

“…Findings from this study indicate high rates of suicidal behaviors among the domestic rural migrants in China than the international immigrants in many developed countries (22). Although reversed findings are reported in a few studies (22).…”

Acculturative stress is associated with trajectory of anxiety symptoms during pregnancy in Mexican-American women

“…As acculturation is associated with adaptation to stress (Caplan, 2007), current research has shifted focus to acculturative stress as a risk factor contributing to mental health disorders (Chae, Park, & Kang, 2014; Fortuna et al, 2016; Sirin, Ryce, Gupta, & Rogers-Sirin, 2013). According to the minority stress theory, experiencing stress due to marginalized status is associated with psychological distress (Meyer, 2013).…”

Demographic and clinical characteristics of foreign residents who visited hospitals for mental health problems in Japan: A multicenter study in a metropolitan area

“…The age distribution of the foreign resident population in Japan peaks at individuals in their twenties, which corresponds to an age of increased susceptibility to mental illnesses (Figure 1) [7,41,42]. Since immigrants are known to have greater mental vulnerability than the majority populations in a community [10,15,16,23], a number of foreign residents in Japan are thought to be at a high risk of mental illness.…”

“…Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have revealed that the incidence of psychotic disorders among immigrants and ethnic minority populations is about 1.5 to 3.0 times as high as that in ethnic majority populations [15]. Whereas a meta-analysis did not show a signi cant increase in mood disorders associated with immigration [22], immigrants who had been diagnosed as having depression were more likely to experience suicidal ideation [23]. Moreover, recent studies have shown that children and adolescents in immigrant families experience severe acculturative stress, which is associated with poor trajectories in mental health such as alcohol and substance use, eating disorders, and emotional and psychological problems [18,24].…”