Examining the relationship between suicide ideation frequency and intergenerational acculturative conflict between Mexican descent college students and their caregivers using the interpersonal theory of suicide.

Abstract

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among US young adults, with significant racial/ethnic disparities related to the risk for suicide among Latine young adults. Despite the elevated risk for suicide, culturally relevant risk factors are not well-known. Intergenerational acculturative conflict (IAC) among Latine youth is a sociocultural factor associated with suicide ideation. Although widely cited, the interpersonal theory of suicide (IPTS) lacks consistent support among Latine groups. The following cross-sectional study examined relationships between IAC categories (cultural preference, autonomy, and dating/staying out late), IPTS risk factors (i.e., thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness), and suicide ideation frequency among 376 Mexican descent college students sampled using participant pools and snowball sampling (73.7% female: Mage = 19.88). Mediation analyses supported the hypotheses that IPTS risk factors partially explained the links between IAC categories and suicide ideation frequency. These findings advance our understanding of how sociocultural constructs, such as IAC, influence the IPTS and future advancements in culturally responsive treatments for suicide.