Purpose: The rate of Latina adolescent suicide (LAS) has seen a continual increase in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control's 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), Latina adolescents have elevated levels of suicide compared to Latinos throughout the continuum (hopelessness to suicide attempts) (CDC, 2001). This is of concern to mental health professionals, particularly school social workers.

There has been no study linking LAS and residence (regional location and metropolitan status). It is hypothesized that Latinas living in the Southwest and in urban areas will have higher levels of suicidality at each point on the continuum when compared to Latinas/os in other regions of the country.

Methodology: Data from the 2001 YRBSS was used. This is an epidemiological surveillance system monitoring the prevalence of children's health risk factors. The questionnaire is given to a nationally representative sample of students around the country using a three-stage cluster design. The response rate for each grade (9-12th) varies between 13,000 and 16,000 (CDC, 2001). Since the data included both dichotomous and continuous dependent variables, analysis was conducted with STATA 7.0 and SPSS 11.0 software using logistic and OLS regression. Simulations were also performed through STATA to provide the best estimate of probability concerning significant models. Since the sample size is large, these simulations are imperative due to the high likelihood of misrepresenting the statistical significance of those variables chosen. All tests were analyzed utilizing a 95% confidence level.

Results: In all of the models performed, regional location was not found to be significant. Although Latinas reported feeling sad or hopeless within the past 12 months (p<.001), region was not statistically significant. Latinas living in urban areas were found to report increased suicidal ideations than those in suburban and rural areas (p<.001). The younger the Latina, the more likely she ideated within the past 12 months (p=.003) with 83.25% cases correctly classified. In terms of reporting a suicide attempt in the past 12 months, Latinas living in urban areas appeared to be significantly more likely to have attempted than other Latinas (p=.041). All other classifications on the suicidal continuum regarding residence and Latinas were not found to be statistically significant (sadness, plans, injury during an attempt). The simulation models lend a more thorough explanation of the data specific to Latinas. The most convincing models dealt with urban status and attempts. Fifty-one percent of the Latinas questioned with a history of anorexia living in urban areas reported they attempted suicide in the past year (p=.02). Those who identified as obese (19%) were more likely to report an attempt (p=.02). Age also appeared to be a factor in attempts with 25% (p=.02) of urban Latinas ages 12 years and younger reported an attempt. Finally, 50% of Latinas with a history of rape in urban areas (p=.02) reported an attempt.

Implications: Finding relationships between Latina suicide and residence will aid social workers to focus programming in those areas of greatest need.

References:

Centers for Disease Control. (2001). YRBSS 2001 Report. [On-line]: Available:http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dash/yrbs/2001/ youth01online.htm