From IIstix, this article brief from UC Davis stating that along with pressure, cultural assimilation and mental illness and the stigmas that come with it, family conflict is just as of a factor in suicide among Asian Americans:
The researchers found that among Asian Americans in the national survey, family conflict was a significant risk factor for suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts — independent of depression, low income or gender.
“This is the first nationally representative investigation of family conflict and suicidal behaviors among Asian Americans,” Sue said. “Our findings suggest that high family conflict has an independent and additive effect in predicting lifetime suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts among Asian Americans.”
As someone who’s grown up with years of intense family conflict, I guess the only thing I really have to say is: “Huh. That actually explains a lot.”
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yoko wrote:
That does make a lot of sense. I think my sister and I can relate to that.
Posted on 22-Aug-08 at 5:33 am | Permalink
jen wrote:
Interesting, Ernie!…just reminds me that the past few suicides at Columbia University were Korean women.
I can’t help feeling that depression is still highly underdiagnosed in Asian cultures though; but shocking how the study was able to differentiate family conflict as a significant factor…not depression.
Wouldn’t family conflict cause depression? Or anxiety?
Posted on 22-Aug-08 at 8:07 am | Permalink
Xxxtine wrote:
I think the family conflict can go either way, depression and/or anxiety. It doesn’t help that when conflicts occur (such as taking care of a mentally ill/ disabled loved one) people don’t talk about it feeling that they have to ‘eat the bitterness’ and not burden others with their problems. So the fight is not so much with external factors, but resides within the mentality and how in many Asian cultures, people don’t like to become involved in other people’s affairs, especially when it comes to things like mental health.
Problem is, when someone finally opens up and talks about them, they’re criticized for any number of reasons. It’s a sad cycle.
Posted on 22-Aug-08 at 11:19 am | Permalink