Lay Theories of Suicide: an Examination of Culturally Relevant Suicide Beliefs and Attributions Among African Americans and European Americans

This study examines African Americans’ lay beliefs & attributions towards suicide. Questionnaires were administered to 251 undergraduates. Beliefs about stigma associated with suicide were comparable across ethnic groups. However, African American students were significantly less likely than European American students were to attribute suicide to interpersonal problems & to report the individual or government is responsible for life. African American students were significantly more likely to report God is responsible for life. Findings have important implications for suicide risk & also for developing culturally appropriate interventions. (51 refs.)