Suicide ideation and attempts in Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites: demographic and psychiatric disorder issues

Abstract

This study examined the lifetime prevalence of suicide ideation and attempts in a community sample of 1,425 Hispanics and 1,309 non-Hispanic whites. The relationship between psychiatric disorder (as assessed by the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, or DIS) and suicide ideation and attempts was also examined. Fewer Hispanics reported suicide ideation (8.8% vs. 18.9%; p less than .001) and suicide attempts (3.2% vs. 5.1%; p less than .001) than non-Hispanic whites. More women of both ethnic groups reported suicide attempts than men of either ethnic group (p less than .001). Disrupted marital bonds were typically associated with higher rates of ideation and attempts. Individuals with any DIS diagnosis were more than four times as likely to think about killing themselves (p less than .01) and more than seven times as likely to attempt suicide (p less than .01) as those without a psychiatric disorder.