Psychosocial Correlates of Suicide Ideation: a Comparison of Chinese and U.S. Rural Women

In this study, two samples of young women ages 20 to 35, one from rural China & one from rural United States were interviewed as to suicide ideation & suicide risk, as related to psychosocial variables of self-esteem, coping, social support, & attitudes toward suicide. Significant mean differences were obtained between samples on all eleven variables. A stepwise multiple-regression analysis indicated that the same four variables, albeit in different order, were predictive of suicide: were self-esteem, instrumental support, the attitude that suicide is morally bad, & an overall rating of coping. (59 refs)