Characteristics of Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist Adolescents who Attempted Suicide
Problem: Hispanic adolescent suicide attempts appear to have been understudied, while suicidal behavior continues to be a concern as a youthful phenomenon. The present study sought to contribute to the understanding of Hispanic youth suicide and its association with acculturation, family, religion, and gender in a sample of Hispanic Seventh-day Adventist adolescents.
Method: The data used for this study came from the Avance survey, the largest denominational survey conducted among Hispanic Seventh-day Adventists in the U.S. (1993-1994). The sample consisted of 869 adolescents, comprised of 380 males and 489 females. Chi-square, t test for means of two independent samples, and discriminant analyses were used to examine acculturation, family, religion, and gender to identify characteristics of Hispanic SDA suicide attempters.
Results: The results indicated that several variables were significantly correlated with suicide attempts ( p < .05): family cohesion, parental religiosity, abuse (verbal, physical, and sexual), faith maturity, church climate, and family status. Furthermore, the discriminant function was statistically significant ( p < .05). The function indicated that an Hispanic who perceived less family cohesion, was highly acculturated, perceived a less warm church climate, was female, and who had suffered sexual and physical abuse was more likely to have attempted suicide.
Conclusions: There are some characteristics that seem to influence Hispanic SDA adolescents to attempt suicide. However, caution must be exerted so as to not draw definite conclusions from this study to other Hispanic populations. More studies among Hispanics are needed in this field.
Method: The data used for this study came from the Avance survey, the largest denominational survey conducted among Hispanic Seventh-day Adventists in the U.S. (1993-1994). The sample consisted of 869 adolescents, comprised of 380 males and 489 females. Chi-square, t test for means of two independent samples, and discriminant analyses were used to examine acculturation, family, religion, and gender to identify characteristics of Hispanic SDA suicide attempters.
Results: The results indicated that several variables were significantly correlated with suicide attempts ( p < .05): family cohesion, parental religiosity, abuse (verbal, physical, and sexual), faith maturity, church climate, and family status. Furthermore, the discriminant function was statistically significant ( p < .05). The function indicated that an Hispanic who perceived less family cohesion, was highly acculturated, perceived a less warm church climate, was female, and who had suffered sexual and physical abuse was more likely to have attempted suicide.
Conclusions: There are some characteristics that seem to influence Hispanic SDA adolescents to attempt suicide. However, caution must be exerted so as to not draw definite conclusions from this study to other Hispanic populations. More studies among Hispanics are needed in this field.
URL:
Availability:
Free
Publication Date:
1999
Author:
Juanita E Trivino
Publisher:
Andrews University Press Sutherland House 8360 W Campus Circle Dr Berrien Springs, MI 49103 | Phone: 616 471 6134 or 800 467 6369 FAX: 616 471 6224 Email: aupo@andrews.edu URL: https://www.andrews.edu/universitypress |
Order Information:
Full text available online through ProQuest Digital Dissertations. Completed through Andrews University.
Language:
English
Resource Type:
Unpublished Plans & Papers; Internet Resources
Resource Objective:
Research
Level:
Kindergarten-Lifelong
Audience:
Teacher / Faculty, Researcher
Religious Origin:
Seventh-day Adventist