Suicide Ideation and Acculturation Among Low Socioeconomic Status Mexican American Adolescents

This study sought to determine whether Mexican American adolescents’ suicide ideation could be predicted from their acculturation levels. Data from a nonclinical sample of 242 eighth-grade students were analysed using stepwise regression. Although acculturation levels did not correlate independently with suicide ideation scores, acculturation did significantly & positively predict suicide ideation when combined with depressive symptoms & low self-esteem. Cultural inhibitory factors that possibly decrease Hispanics’ suicidal behaviour are discussed. (73 refs.)