Suicide risk and psychopathology in immigrants: a multi-group confirmatory factor analysis

Abstract

Although immigrants represent a unique population and may experience specific stressors contributing to psychopathology and suicide risk, our findings suggest that the samples of Italians and immigrants may be more similar on the study variables under investigation than previously thought. Implications are offered for the improved identification and treatment of immigrants and resident citizens in Europe in general and in Italy in particular.

Predictors of suicidal ideation in Korean American older adults: analysis of the Memory and Aging Study of Koreans (MASK)

“…Immigrants who are less fluent in English and less acculturated are at higher risk for suicide (Hovey, ; Iliceto et al ., ), and they are less likely to utilize mental health services (Administration on Aging, ; Kim et al ., ). Similarly, in the present study, Korean American older adults with shorter residency in the USA were more likely to report suicidal ideation.…”

Suicide in Immigrants: An Overview

“…Emigration is defined as the process by which an individual moves from one cultural context to another, in order to settle for a long period of time or lifelong [4]. Emigration can occur en masse or individually.…”

“…The process of migration (human movement in general) has been divided into three phases: the pre-migration, which includes the decision to migrate and the preparation for it; the step of emigration, i.e., the physical transfer of the person from one place to another, and the post-migration, defined as the process of integration of immigrants in the new social and cultural context of the hosting country, where new rules and roles have to be learned [5]. Quite clearly, this process might vary significantly from person to person [4].…”

“…Immigrants might have higher rates of psychopathology and suicidal behaviour than the host populations, due to exposure to the stress of the migrating process. The ending of the links with their country of origin, the loss of status and social network, a sense of inadequacy because of language barriers, unemployment, financial problems, a sense of not belonging, and feelings of exclusion can cause loss of interest in entering into a relationship with others, and cause a variety of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction to alcohol and drugs, and lead to loneliness and hopelessness, and suicidal behaviours [4,6,7].…”

“…In 2010, approximately 60% of the permits were issued for work, 30% for family reasons, and 10% for other causes. In addition, it has been estimated that there are about 700,000 illegal immigrants in Italy [4].…”