Interpersonal Theory of Suicide Using a Familismo Values Lens among Emerging Mexican Descent Adults

Abstract

The present study examined the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide (IPT) within a culturally relevant framework by simultaneously examining familismo values to explain suicidal ideation among Mexican descent emerging adults. With a sample of 249 Mexican descent emerging adults (age range: 18–25 years; M = 19.17; SD = 1.53; 65.5% women), the present study found that there was a significant interaction between perceived burdensomeness (PB) and familismo-subjugation of self values. These findings provide evidence that in the context of perceiving one’s self as being a burden on the family, having higher familismo subjugation of self-values puts one at higher risk for suicidal ideation than if they have lower subjugation values. These findings highlight that when dissonance occurs between one’s values and their lived experience, a higher risk of suicidal ideation occurs for Mexican descent emerging adults.

Recreating diasporic identity and community: Examination of transgender and nonbinary latinx healing from family rejection.

“…For example, familismo values act as a protective factor for a range of issues, such as depression (Montoro & Ceballo, 2021;Piña-Watson et al, 2019), internalized mental health symptoms (Ayo ´n et al, 2010), and academic success (Duran & Pérez, 2019). Alternatively, certain familismo values (i.e., interaction between burdensomeness to family and subjugation of self) function as risk factors for suicide among Latinx individuals, increasing vulnerability to the development of suicidal ideation through dissonance between emerging adults' values and daily experience (Aceves & Piña-Watson, 2021). The examination of familismo as a cultural value that may simultaneously promote protection and risk within the context of psychological health allows for a nuanced look into how the family is defined and how these dynamics have material ramifications.…”