Suicide Ideation and Acculturation among Low Socioeconomic Status Mexican American Adolescents

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Mexican American adolescents' suicide ideation could be predicted from their acculturation levels. A nonclinical sample of 242 Mexican American eighth-grade students completed the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior High School version, the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans (modified version), the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. A stepwise regression analysis was conducted. Although adolescents' acculturation levels did not correlate independently with suicide ideation scores, acculturation did significantly (and positively) predict suicide ideation when combined with depressive symptoms and low self-esteem. Also, Mexican American female adolescents had significantly higher suicide ideation scores and depressive symptoms as well as significantly lower self-esteem than did their male counterparts. Cultural inhibitory variables that possibly decrease Hispanics' suicidal behavior are discussed.