Drug Use and Suicidality Among Asian American Women Who Are Children of Immigrants

Abstract

This study investigates the association between drug use and lifetime suicidal behaviors among Asian American women (n = 720) residing throughout Massachusetts, using data collected from 2010 to 2011. Logistic regression models identified that a history of hard drug use alone or in combination with soft drug use has a significant association with both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among Asian American women, adjusting for demographic covariates, history of psychiatric diagnosis, and family communication. These findings highlight the importance of addressing hard drug use when designing suicide prevention programs for Asian American women.

RÉSUMÉ

La consommation des drogues et la suicidalité parmi les femmes Asiatique-Américaines qui sont les filles des immigrés

Cette étude examine l'association entre la consommation des drogues et le comportement suicidaire parmi les femmes Asiatiques-Américaines (n = 720) qui résident en Massachusetts, utilisant des données de 2010 à 2011. Les régressions logistiques identifiaient qu'une histoire de consommation des drogues dures (seules ou en combinaison avec les drogues doux) a une association significative avec à la fois l'idéation suicidaire et la tentative de suicide parmi les femmes Asiatiques-Américaines, en ajustant pour les données démographiques, une histoire des diagnostics pschiatriques, et les niveaus de communication familiale. Cettes découvertes soulignent l'importance d'aborder la consommation des drogues dures en conçevoyant les progrommes pour la prévention du suicide pour les femmes Asiatiques-Américaines.

RESUMEN

El consumo de drogas y el suicidio entre las mujeres estadounidenses de origen asiático que son hijos de inmigrantes

Este estudio examina la asociación entre el consumo de drogas y conductas suicidas por vida entre las mujeres estadounidenses de origen asiático (n = 720) que residen a lo largo de Massachusetts, los datos fueron recogidos desde 2010 hasta 2011. Modelos de regresión logística identificón que los antecedentes de consumo de drogas duras en solas o en combinación con el consumo de drogas blandas tiene una asociación significativa con ideación suicida e intentos de suicidio entre las mujeres estadounidenses de origen asiático, de en ajustes demográficos, antecedentes de diagnóstico psiquiátrico y la comunicación familiar. Estos resultados destacan la importancia de atacar el consumo de drogas duras en el diseño de programas de prevención del suicidio de las mujeres estadounidenses de origen asiático.

Keywords :

• Asian Americans
• Asian American women
• API women
• suicidal ideation
• suicide attempt
• suicidality comorbidity
• mental health
• substance use
• drug use

THE AUTHORS

Hyeouk Chris Hahm, PhD, LCSW, is an Associate Professor at the School of Social Work, Boston University, Boston, MA. Her fields of special interest include HIV/STDs risk factors, substance use/abuse, acculturation, and health disparities among ethnic minority adolescents and young adults.

Jisun Jang, MA, is a statistical programmer at the Clinical Research Center of Boston Children's Hospital. Her areas of interest include pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical intervention/prevention methods and health-care quality measures.

Cecilia Vu, BA, is a student at Boston University School of Public Health studying epidemiology. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Boston University. In the future, she hopes to continue pursing research that will bring attention to health disparities in overlooked populations and public health inefficiencies.

L. Melissa Alexander, BA, is a Research Fellow with Dr. Hahm in the School of Social Work at Boston University. She graduated from Harvard College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2010. Along with her interest in clinical psychology, Melissa is passionate about mental health advocacy and awareness. Her other research interests include women's health, prenatal health, substance use, and self-harm.

Kelsie E. Driscoll, BA, is a student in the Boston University School of Public Health pursuing a dual undergraduate degree in psychology and a graduate degree in public health. Kelsie is particularly interested in women's health and health disparities and hopes to contribute to the creation of informed policy solutions.

Lena Lundgren, PhD, is a Professor and the Director at the Center for Addictions Research and Services, and an Associate Dean of Research, Boston University School of Social Work. She is a nationally and internationally recognized addiction treatment researcher. Her research area is often described as “real world research,” and she conducts a number of research studies in collaboration with community-based organizations. Dr. Lundgren has together with her community-based collaborators brought more than 18 million dollars in HIV prevention and addiction treatment funds to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Currently, Dr. Lundgren has a 5-year guest professorship with Umea University Sweden, where she conducts national longitudinal studies on addiction treatment access/use and outcomes.