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Published on: July 10, 2017
Suicide, adolescents and Puerto Rico
1Pontificia Universidad Católica, Arecibo, PR.
Boletin De La Asociacion Medica De Puerto Rico
|June 10, 2000
Summary
This review identifies key suicide risk factors for Puerto Rican adolescents, including depression, substance abuse, and societal hostility. Puerto Rican adolescent males face elevated risks, particularly with age and family dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Health
- Cultural Psychiatry
Background:
- Suicide is a complex issue with diverse contributing factors.
- Understanding specific risk factors within distinct cultural groups is crucial for targeted prevention.
- Puerto Rican adolescents represent a unique demographic with potential cultural and societal influences on mental health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent literature on suicide risk factors.
- To identify factors with particular relevance to Puerto Rican adolescents.
- To highlight specific vulnerabilities within this population.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies.
- Identification and synthesis of risk factors.
- Analysis of factors correlating with the Puerto Rican experience.
Main Results:
- Key risk factors include homosexuality, depression, gender, psychiatric disorders, lack of social integration, military experience, cultural/religious factors, alcoholism, substance abuse, and unemployment/poverty.
- Puerto Rican adolescent males are identified as a high-risk group.
- Risk increases with age, sexual preference, family dysfunction, and substance abuse.
Conclusions:
- Puerto Rican adolescent males are at significant risk for suicide.
- Multiple psychosocial and cultural factors contribute to this risk.
- Targeted interventions addressing these specific factors are needed for prevention efforts.
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