Latino Suicide: Identifying and Comparing Risk Factors Among Adolescent Males and Females

Over 10 years ago, epidemiological studies reported Latino youth have the highest rate of suicide behavior in comparison to non-Latino counterparts. Among Latina youth, suicide is the second leading cause of death and the third for Latino males youth. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS), a greater number of Latina and Latino youth (13.5%, 10.2% respectively) reported that they attempted suicide than other racial and ethnic counterparts (2011).  When comparing Latino males to females, females had higher percentages of considering suicide in the past 12 months (20% vs. 12%), making a suicide plan (16.2% vs. 11.4%), and attempting suicide (13% vs. 6.1%).  Yet, more Latino males die by suicide each year. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to: a) identify, compare and contrast risk factors that predict Latino risk for suicide behavior between Latino male and female youth, and b) inform culturally competent and gender specific suicide prevention efforts. This study utilized the YRBS, an epidemiological survey with a cluster sample design and respondents (n=15,425) from all public, Catholic, and private schools. This study utilized respondents who identified themselves as Latino females (n=2363) and males (n= 2265).

The majority were between 15 and 17 years old. Variables included demographic characteristics (e.g., age, ethnicity, race, gender) and health-risk behaviors (i.e., Hopelessness, Transportation, Violence, Substance Use, Weight Control Behavior, Physical Activities, Watching TV, Risky Sexual Behaviors, Sleep Hours, and Computer Use). The variables selected for the multiple regression model were based on suicide risk factors identified in the literature—typically from studies with majority White participants. Three models were tested for Latina females and 5 for Latino males, before a statistically significant regression was identified.

For males, the regression model was statistically significant with five predictors explaining 29% of the variance: hopelessness, participation in violence with weapons, participation in physical fights, weight control behavior, and sleep. For females, the regression model was statistically significant with three predictors explaining 29%:  hopelessness, participation in violence with weapons, participation in physical fights, substance use, physical health, sleep, and computer use.

Though 29% of the variance in suicide behavior can be explained by the respective models, the findings also indicate that the risk behaviors assessed in the YRBSS are not sufficient to predict suicidality among male and female Latino youth. It is recommended that the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide be used to improve the YRBS in assessing suicide risk for youth—not just Latinos—taking this survey. The theory focuses on three factors for a person to be capable of suicide: perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and capability. The theory points to a need for additional items in the YRBS to capture one’s social support situation and specifically whether perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness are predictors. Existing items on the survey capture capability for suicide. This information, if used to revise the YRBS, could lead to a better understanding of youth suicide risk among all groups and more effective youth suicide prevention.