A re-examination of cultural factors that mitigate risk and promote resilience in relation to African American suicide: a review of the literature and recommendations for future research

Abstract

Suicide among African Americans has been acknowledged by the U.S. Surgeon General as a growing crisis. However, suicide remains understudied in this population. In this article, the authors examine the literature related to cultural protective factors that buffer African Americans from suicide risk. They present an overview of suicide among African Americans, review the culture and world-view of African Americans, and examine the degree to which these cultural variables protect against suicide risk. Finally, they discuss the limitations of the extant research on African American suicide, set an agenda for future research, and discuss its implications for clinical practice and public policy.