Reasons for Living, Social Support, and Afrocentric Worldview: Assessing Buffering Factors Related to Black Americans’ Suicidal Behavior

Abstract

This study utilized an ecological framework to explore the role of 4 culturally relevant protective factors-reasons for living, Afrocentric worldview, family support, and friend support-in protecting Black American college students from suicidal behavior. Participants were 289 Black American college students. We hypothesized that these 4 culturally relevant factors would exert indirect protective effects on suicidal behavior through their association with reduced depressive symptoms. Results indicated that reasons for living, perceived supportive behaviors from family, and Afrocentric worldview exerted indirect protective effects on suicidal behaviors through their negative associations with depressive symptoms. The mediation effect from friend support to depression and suicidal behavior was not significant.

Predicting Suicide Attempts for Racial and Ethnic Groups of Patients During Routine Clinical Care

“…For Asian patients, there did not seem to be increasing risk of suicide attempt beyond reporting thoughts of suicide more than half the days in the past 2 weeks. The findings in non‐Hispanic Black patients support the national suicide trends (Curtin et al., ) and the differences when compared to non‐Hispanic White patients may reflect cultural beliefs and practices that protect against suicide attempts (Wang, Joel Wong, Tran, Nyutu, & Spears, ). However, the sample size for some racial and ethnic groups in our population, especially Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders and Native Americans/Alaskan Natives, was very small, resulting in large CIs for our estimates.…”

Connecting the Dots: State Health Department Approaches to Addressing Shared Risk and Protective Factors Across Multiple Forms of Violence

“…8,86 More specifically, youth who feel connected and committed to school are at a lower risk of harming others through dating violence, 29,76 youth violence, 20,82,87–89 sexual violence, 28 and bullying, 72 and are at lower risk for suicide, 89,90 and strong family support and connectedness can be protective against perpetration of child abuse and neglect, 91–93 teen dating violence, 29 youth violence, 8,94,95 bullying, 96 and suicide. 65,97–100 Also, youths’ association with prosocial peers has been shown to be protective against perpetration of teen dating violence, 101 youth violence, 20 bullying, 81 and suicide. 102 …”

The significance of African-centered social work for social work practice

“…These practitioners will create best practices that highlight the significance and potential contribution of the individual, family, community and group unit (Bent-Goodley, 2014;Borum, 2007;Manning, Cornelius, & Okundaye, 2004;Mickel, 2013Mickel, , 2005Moore, MadisonColmore, & Moore, 2003;Roberts, Jackson, & Carlton-LaNey, 2000;Stewart, 2004;Valandra, 2007;Wang, Wong, Tran, Nyutu, & Spears, 2013). For example, in noting the important ways that spirituality can be interwoven into the practice experience, the African-centered practitioner will recognize spirituality as a protective factor and will understand how to use spirituality as a tool for intervention, understanding, and relationship building (Daniels, 2012;Edgell, 2007;Martin & Martin, 2002;Wheeler, Ampadu & Wangarl, 2002).…”