No abstract

The similarity of most immigrant groups' SARs across centres, and the correlation with suicidality in the countries of origin suggest a strong continuity that can be interpreted in either cultural or genetic terms. However, the generally higher rates among immigrants compared to host populations and the similarity of the rates of foreign-born and those immigrants who retained the citizenship of their country of origin point to difficulties in the acculturation and integration process. The positive correlation found between attempted and completed suicide rates suggests that the two are related, a fact with strong implications for suicide prevention.

W La Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, vol 55, no 5, mai 2010 274Objectives: Little research has focused on the relation of immigration and suicidal behaviour in youth. Nevertheless, the impact of migration on the mental health of youth is an issue of increasing societal importance. This review aimed to present studies on the prevalence of suicidal behaviour in immigrant youth in various countries and to provide possible explanations for suicidal behaviour in immigrant youth, especially regarding acculturation. Methods:The review included a literature search to locate articles on the subject of suicidal behaviour in immigrant youth in the context of acculturation.Results: Studies on suicidal behaviour in culturally diverse youth are few and most of the existing research does not differentiate ethnic minorities from immigrants. Studies on epidemiology and on specific risk factors were found regarding various immigrant youth including Hispanics in the United States, Asians in North America and Europe, as well as comparative studies between different immigrant groups in specific countries. Conclusions:The relation between immigration status and suicidal behaviours in youth appears to vary by ethnicity and country of settlement. Time spent in the new country as well as intergenerational communication and conflicts with parents have, in many of the studies, been related to suicidality in immigrant youth. Summing up, there is a clear and urgent need to further pursue the work in this field, to develop targeted public health interventions as well as psychosocial treatment for preventing suicide in these youth.Can J Psychiatry. 2010;55(5):274-281. Clinical Implications· Studies indicate that immigrant status influences suicide risk in youth and it should be considered in clinical settings. · They also indicate the need for specifically targeting intergenerational conflicts in the context of suicide prevention efforts for young immigrants. · More studies are needed that break down the concept of acculturation into specific factors influencing young immigrants. Limitations· Our review was limited to literature specifically concerning young immigrants' suicidality in the context of their acculturation process. · Studies fail to differentiate ethnic minorities from immigrants, limiting assessment of specific risk factors associating immigration with suicidality in youth. · Relation between level of acculturation and suicidality in different generations of immigrant youth remains unclear in the studies considered.