Sociodemographic and precipitating circumstances associated with suicide among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders: A survival analysis.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand the contributing factors associated with completed suicides among the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population, especially culturally specific risk factors. Drawing on previous theoretical and clinical research related to AAPIs, this study included seven life events preceding suicide, including suicide attempt history, alcohol and substance use problem, physical health problem, job problem, interpersonal violence, and family relationship problem, while controlling for the effects of gender among AAPIs. Utilizing the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), the sample consisted of 1,428 AAPI suicide decedents from 2008 to 2018. The risk and protective factors were analyzed using interval-censored survival analysis. The analyses indicated that substance abuse (Hazard Ratio = 2.000, p < .001) and completion of high school and beyond (Hazard Ratio = 1.517, p < .001) were associated with the highest increases in suicide risk for AAPI. Suicide attempt history was also a significant predictor of completing suicide (Hazard Ratio = 1.211, p ≤ .05) but suicide decedent with a physical health problem was at a lower risk of completing suicide (Hazard Ratio = 0.396, p < .05). The findings highlight how substance abuse, family relationship problems, and educational pressures may be associated with suicide risk. With these factors in mind, we discuss opportunities to help people in the AAPI population to develop coping skills earlier, address shame and guilt, and navigate high-pressure working environments. What is the public significance of this article?Researchers and practitioners need a thorough understanding of the cultural risks and protective factors connected to suicides among the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations in order to develop strategies to reduce the risk of suicide among AAPIs. Our findings highlighted those factors including nonalcohol substance abuse, interpersonal violence experience, education level, history of suicide attempts, and physical health, may influence suicide among AAPIs through specific, culturally influenced pathways.

Exploring Chinese and Korean American Teachers’ Perceptions of Their Cultural Identity as Assets and Barriers

“…Choi [10] explored the working experiences as the racial minority of two Korean American social studies teachers in high schools. The limited findings of ethnic-specific studies are aligned with a decade review [11] of the Asian American Journal of Psychology (AAJP). Among the 319 articles in AAJP published from 2010 to 2019, the majority of them (n = 239) included aggregated or multiple Asian ethnicities.…”

Why did peri‐pandemic suicide death rates decrease among non‐Hispanic white people while increasing among most people of color?

“…Similarly, the literature indicates that among AAPI Americans, facing school-based or general interpersonal violence is related to increased risk for suicide-related thoughts and behaviors (Leung & Lai, 2023). In a qualitative analysis of 2003-2017 data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS), thwarted belongingness was a common difficulty reported by AAPI suicide decedents (Wong et al, 2022).…”

Adding cultural variables to improve assessments and interventions with suicidal persons of color.

“…In Asian and Asian American cultures, notions of filial piety or family harmony take on great importance. Also, in Asian cultures, failing to meet one’s social expectations or having children who are too disobedient or unruly can lead to the loss of face and significant emotional turmoil (Leung & Lai, 2023; Mandavia et al, 2017).…”

“…Psychotherapists working with Indigenous Americans may look for a sense of historical loss thinking, which, combined with brooding, may increase suicidal thoughts (Tucker et al, 2016). Among high-achieving Asian Americans, educational pressures to succeed can increase the risk of suicide (Leung & Lai, 2023). A racial trauma inventory may sometimes be used to supplement interviewing.…”