Effects of race and precipitating event on suicide versus nonsuicide death classification in a college sample.

Race group differences in suicide death classification in a sample of 109 Black and White university students were examined. Participants were randomly assigned to read three vignettes for which the vignette subjectsÕ race (only) varied. The vignettes each described a circumstance (terminal illness, academic failure, or relationship difficulties) that preceded the vignette subjectÕs ambiguously premature death. Participants were asked to describe Òwhat happened.Ó Black participants were significantly less likely than White participants to attribute a vignette targetÕs death to suicide and also less likely to report that suicide is acceptable. Implications for future research and prevention efforts are discussed.