Citation

Walker RL, Utsey SO, Bolden MA, Williams O. Arch. Suicide Res. 2005; 9(2): 203-217.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. rlwalker@sc.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811110590904043

PMID

16020163

Abstract

Given that researchers have found increased risk for suicidality and other psychiatric problems among acculturated individuals, we predicted similar results for African-descended people living in the U.S. We surveyed a community sample of 423 adult men and women of African descent to determine acculturation's relationship to Black suicide. Participants completed the African American Acculturation Scale, the Multi-Dimensional Support Scale, and a subscale of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale. Suicidal ideation and history of suicide attempt were defined as a "yes" response to the questions, "have you ever considered taking your own life?" and "have you ever attempted to take your own life?" We found that religious well-being (not acculturation) was predictive of both suicidal ideation and history of suicide attempt.