"I Just Kept It to Myself": The Shaping of Latina Suicidality Through Gendered Oppression, Silence, and Violence.

Abstract

Suicide is a critical issue among Latina youth. In this study, we use family case analysis to explore how gendered oppression, silencing, and violence shape suicidal behaviors among a sample of Latina daughters (n=10), and their parents. For comparison, we include family narratives from Latina adolescents with no histories of suicide attempts (n=10). Results suggest how secrets and silence, as indicative of gendered oppression, may catalyze a suicide attempt. The risks are particularly salient when daughter and mother both have experienced violence that conflicts with gendered cultural scripts. Findings highlight the importance of parental engagement and exploration of histories of violence in the treatment of Latina suicide attempters. Future research should incorporate the risk factors of gendered oppression and violence to better understand the development of suicidality among Latina women.