Citation

Shiang J. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 1998; 28(4): 338-354.

Affiliation

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Palo Alto, California.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9894302

Abstract

Completed suicides in San Francisco were examined in the racial groups of African Americans, Asians, Caucasians, Hispanics, and Native Americans for a 10-year period (1987-1996). Comparisons of rates across race and gender showed that both Caucasian men and women had the highest rates. Significant differences were found when racial groups were compared across age groups, gender, and method, but no significant difference was found in the use of firearms as a method of suicide. Differences and similarities are illustrated by comparing Caucasian and Asian patterns of suicide in the areas of (1) suicide in Asian homelands, (2) cultural context, and (3) cultural beliefs regarding psychopathology. A framework relating cultural variables to predisposing client variables is suggested for clinicians and researchers.