Authors retain the copyright without restrictions for their published content in this journal. HSSR is a SHERPA ROMEO Green Journal.
Publishing License
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of
A REVIEW STUDY OF FACTORS INFLUENCING SUICIDE AMONG SOUTH ASIANS IN THE UK
Corresponding Author(s) : Alamgeer Khan
Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews,
Vol. 9 No. 2 (2021): March
Abstract
Purpose of the study: A systematic review of studies on factors in the suicide of South Asians in the UK was reviewed to enhance understanding by aggregating those factors contributing to suicide in this diverse group.
Methodology: Digital databases PsycArticles, PsycINFO, PubMed, JSTOR, Science Direct, Web of sciences, and Google Scholar, were searched from 1990 to 2018 and, six studies were included for the review.
Main Findings: Factors like cultural conflict, mental health issues, family relationships, and religious & other social aspects influence suicide in South Asians in the UK. Also, better family contact, culturally sensitive interventions & services, and educational pamphlets could support preventive strategies.
Applications of this study: Future research needs to concentrate on the reasons behind high rates of suicide in social class 1 and disaggregation of factors in sub-groups of South Asians in the UK to support the development of sound preventive strategies.
Novelty/Originality of this study: First study ever to aggregate factors in the suicide of South Asians in the UK.
Keywords
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)BibTeX
- Durkheim, E. (1897/1951), Le Suicide (Trans. by J. Spaulding and G. Simpson, as Suicide: A Study in Sociology), Routledge and Kegan Paul, London. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/67.4.945 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/67.4.945
- Gibbs, J.P., 2000. Status integration and suicide: occupational, marital, or both? Social Forces 78, 949–970. https://doi.org/10.2307/3005937 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3005937
- Goldston, D. B., Molock, S. D., Whitbeck, L. B., Murakami, J. L., Zayas, L. H., & Nagayama Hall, G. C. (2008). Cultural considerations in adolescent suicide prevention and psychosocial treatment. American Psychologist, 63(1), 14–31. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.63.1.14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.63.1.14
- Grewe.A., (2005). "I'm sick to death with you..." or External Character Conflicts in Fawlty Towers. GRIN Verlag. p. 10. ISBN 978-3-638-42885-9.
- Hilton, S,C. Fellingham, G.W. & Lyon, J.L. (2002). Suicide rates and religious commitment in young adult males in Utah. American Journal of Epidemiology,155(5):413-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/155.5.413 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/155.5.413
- https://doi.org/10.1053/j.mppsy.2006.05.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.mppsy.2006.05.006
- Ineichen, B. (2008). Suicide and attempted suicide among South Asians in England: who is at risk? Mental Health in Family Medicine, 5(3), 135–138. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22477861
- Ineichen, B. (2012). Mental illness and suicide in British South Asian adults. Mental Health, Religion & Culture,15(3), 235-250. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2011.643861 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2011.643861
- Khan, F. and Waheed, W. (2006). Suicide and self-harm in South Asian immigrants. Psychiatry, 5(8), pp.283-285. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.mppsy.2006.05.006
- Kliewer, E. (1991). Immigrant suicide in Australia, Canada, England and Wales, and the United States. Journal of the Australian Population Association, 8(2), 111-128. Retrieved from www.jstor.org/stable/41110608
- Lai,D.W.L. Li,L. & Daoust,G.D. (2017). Factors Influencing Suicide Behaviours in Immigrant and Ethno-Cultural Minority Groups: A Systematic Review, Springer Science and Business Media New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0490-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0490-3
- Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., Friend, J., & Powell, A. (2009). Adolescent suicide, gen- der, and culture: A rate and risk factor analysis. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 14(14), 402–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2009.06.010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2009.06.010
- Lau, A. S., Jernewall, N. M., Zane, N., & Myers, H. F. (2002). Correlates of suicidal behaviors among Asian American outpatient youths. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 8(3), 199–213. https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.8.3.199 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.8.3.199
- Lau, A. S., Jernewall, N. M., Zane, N., & Myers, H. F. (2002). Correlates of suicidal behaviors among Asian American outpatient youths. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 8(3), 199–213. https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.8.3.199 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.8.3.199
- Leach, M. M. (2006). Cultural diversity and suicide: Ethnic, religious, gender and sexual orientation perspectives. Binghampton: Haworth Press. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-21976-000
- Leach, M. M., & Leong, F. T. L. (2008). Challenges for research on suicide among ethnic minorities. In F. T. L. Leong, & M. M. Leach (Eds.), Suicide among racial and ethnic minority group
- Lester, D. (2000). Suicide in Emigrants from the Indian Subcontinent. Transcultural Psychiatry, 243–254. https://doi.org/10.1177/136346150003700206 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/136346150003700206
- Lester, D., 1995. Is divorce an indicator of general or specific social malaise? Journal of Divorce and Remarriage 23, 203–205. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v23n01_13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v23n01_13
- Maris, R.W., Berman, A.L., Silverman, M.M., (2000). Comprehensive Textbook of Suicidology. Guilford Press, New York.
- Maskill, C. Ian,H. McClellan,V. & Collings,S (2005). Explaining Patterns of Suicide, A selective review of studies examining social, economic, cultural and other population-level influences. [online] Health.govt.nz
- McKenzie,K. Bhui,K. Nanchahal,K. & Blizard,B. (2008). Suicide rates in people of South Asian origin in England and Wales: 1993–2003. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 193 (5) 406-409; DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.107.042598 https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.042598 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.042598
- Office of National Statistics, (2018). Suicide rates (Document). retrieved from https://www.ons.gov.uk
- Patel, S.P. and Gaw, A.C. (1996), “Suicide among immigrants from the Indian subcontinent: a reviewâ€, Psychiatric Services, Vol. 45 No. 5, pp. 517-21. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.47.5.517 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.47.5.517
- Pescosolido, B.A., (1990). The social context of religious integration and suicide: pursuing the network explanation. Sociological Quarterly, 31, 337–357. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1990.tb00332.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1990.tb00332.x
- Pescosolido, B.A., Georgianna, S., (1989). Durkheim, suicide, and religion: toward a network theory of suicide. American Sociological Review, 54, 33–48. https://doi.org/10.2307/2095660 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2095660
- Phillips, J.A., (2013). Factors associated with temporal and spatial patterns in suicide rates across US states, 1976–2000. Demography, 50 (2), 591–614. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-012-0176-y
- Raleigh, V., Bulusu, L. and Balarajan, R. (1990). Suicides Among Immigrants from the Indian Subcontinent. British Journal of Psychiatry, 156(01), pp.46-50. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.156.1.46 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.156.1.46
- Singh, K. (2002). Suicide among immigrants to Canada from the Indian subcontinent. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 47(5), 487-487. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370204700519. PMID: 12085689. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370204700519
- Stack, S., (2000). Suicide: a 15-year review of the sociological literature part I: cultural and economic factors. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 30 (2), 145–162.
- Tuck, A., Bhui, K., Nanchahal, K. and McKenzie, K. (2015), "Suicide rates for different religious groups in the South Asian origin population in England and Wales: a secondary analysis of a national data set", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 8 No. 4, pp. 260-266. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-09-2013-0019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-09-2013-0019
- Turner. HJ, (2005). Sociology. Prentice Hall. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-13-113496-6.
- World Health organization. (2016). Suicide data. retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/
- Wray, M., Colen, C., Pescosolido, B., (2011). The sociology of suicide. Annual Review of Sociology, 37, 505–528. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-081309-150058 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-081309-150058
References
Durkheim, E. (1897/1951), Le Suicide (Trans. by J. Spaulding and G. Simpson, as Suicide: A Study in Sociology), Routledge and Kegan Paul, London. https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/67.4.945 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/67.4.945
Gibbs, J.P., 2000. Status integration and suicide: occupational, marital, or both? Social Forces 78, 949–970. https://doi.org/10.2307/3005937 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/3005937
Goldston, D. B., Molock, S. D., Whitbeck, L. B., Murakami, J. L., Zayas, L. H., & Nagayama Hall, G. C. (2008). Cultural considerations in adolescent suicide prevention and psychosocial treatment. American Psychologist, 63(1), 14–31. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.63.1.14 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.63.1.14
Grewe.A., (2005). "I'm sick to death with you..." or External Character Conflicts in Fawlty Towers. GRIN Verlag. p. 10. ISBN 978-3-638-42885-9.
Hilton, S,C. Fellingham, G.W. & Lyon, J.L. (2002). Suicide rates and religious commitment in young adult males in Utah. American Journal of Epidemiology,155(5):413-9. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/155.5.413 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/155.5.413
https://doi.org/10.1053/j.mppsy.2006.05.006 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.mppsy.2006.05.006
Ineichen, B. (2008). Suicide and attempted suicide among South Asians in England: who is at risk? Mental Health in Family Medicine, 5(3), 135–138. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22477861
Ineichen, B. (2012). Mental illness and suicide in British South Asian adults. Mental Health, Religion & Culture,15(3), 235-250. https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2011.643861 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13674676.2011.643861
Khan, F. and Waheed, W. (2006). Suicide and self-harm in South Asian immigrants. Psychiatry, 5(8), pp.283-285. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.mppsy.2006.05.006
Kliewer, E. (1991). Immigrant suicide in Australia, Canada, England and Wales, and the United States. Journal of the Australian Population Association, 8(2), 111-128. Retrieved from www.jstor.org/stable/41110608
Lai,D.W.L. Li,L. & Daoust,G.D. (2017). Factors Influencing Suicide Behaviours in Immigrant and Ethno-Cultural Minority Groups: A Systematic Review, Springer Science and Business Media New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0490-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0490-3
Langhinrichsen-Rohling, J., Friend, J., & Powell, A. (2009). Adolescent suicide, gen- der, and culture: A rate and risk factor analysis. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 14(14), 402–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2009.06.010 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2009.06.010
Lau, A. S., Jernewall, N. M., Zane, N., & Myers, H. F. (2002). Correlates of suicidal behaviors among Asian American outpatient youths. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 8(3), 199–213. https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.8.3.199 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.8.3.199
Lau, A. S., Jernewall, N. M., Zane, N., & Myers, H. F. (2002). Correlates of suicidal behaviors among Asian American outpatient youths. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 8(3), 199–213. https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.8.3.199 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/1099-9809.8.3.199
Leach, M. M. (2006). Cultural diversity and suicide: Ethnic, religious, gender and sexual orientation perspectives. Binghampton: Haworth Press. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-21976-000
Leach, M. M., & Leong, F. T. L. (2008). Challenges for research on suicide among ethnic minorities. In F. T. L. Leong, & M. M. Leach (Eds.), Suicide among racial and ethnic minority group
Lester, D. (2000). Suicide in Emigrants from the Indian Subcontinent. Transcultural Psychiatry, 243–254. https://doi.org/10.1177/136346150003700206 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/136346150003700206
Lester, D., 1995. Is divorce an indicator of general or specific social malaise? Journal of Divorce and Remarriage 23, 203–205. https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v23n01_13 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J087v23n01_13
Maris, R.W., Berman, A.L., Silverman, M.M., (2000). Comprehensive Textbook of Suicidology. Guilford Press, New York.
Maskill, C. Ian,H. McClellan,V. & Collings,S (2005). Explaining Patterns of Suicide, A selective review of studies examining social, economic, cultural and other population-level influences. [online] Health.govt.nz
McKenzie,K. Bhui,K. Nanchahal,K. & Blizard,B. (2008). Suicide rates in people of South Asian origin in England and Wales: 1993–2003. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 193 (5) 406-409; DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.107.042598 https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.042598 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.107.042598
Office of National Statistics, (2018). Suicide rates (Document). retrieved from https://www.ons.gov.uk
Patel, S.P. and Gaw, A.C. (1996), “Suicide among immigrants from the Indian subcontinent: a reviewâ€, Psychiatric Services, Vol. 45 No. 5, pp. 517-21. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.47.5.517 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.47.5.517
Pescosolido, B.A., (1990). The social context of religious integration and suicide: pursuing the network explanation. Sociological Quarterly, 31, 337–357. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1990.tb00332.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-8525.1990.tb00332.x
Pescosolido, B.A., Georgianna, S., (1989). Durkheim, suicide, and religion: toward a network theory of suicide. American Sociological Review, 54, 33–48. https://doi.org/10.2307/2095660 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2095660
Phillips, J.A., (2013). Factors associated with temporal and spatial patterns in suicide rates across US states, 1976–2000. Demography, 50 (2), 591–614. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13524-012-0176-y
Raleigh, V., Bulusu, L. and Balarajan, R. (1990). Suicides Among Immigrants from the Indian Subcontinent. British Journal of Psychiatry, 156(01), pp.46-50. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.156.1.46 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.156.1.46
Singh, K. (2002). Suicide among immigrants to Canada from the Indian subcontinent. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 47(5), 487-487. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370204700519. PMID: 12085689. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370204700519
Stack, S., (2000). Suicide: a 15-year review of the sociological literature part I: cultural and economic factors. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 30 (2), 145–162.
Tuck, A., Bhui, K., Nanchahal, K. and McKenzie, K. (2015), "Suicide rates for different religious groups in the South Asian origin population in England and Wales: a secondary analysis of a national data set", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 8 No. 4, pp. 260-266. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-09-2013-0019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-09-2013-0019
Turner. HJ, (2005). Sociology. Prentice Hall. p. 87. ISBN 978-0-13-113496-6.
World Health organization. (2016). Suicide data. retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/
Wray, M., Colen, C., Pescosolido, B., (2011). The sociology of suicide. Annual Review of Sociology, 37, 505–528. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-081309-150058 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-081309-150058