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11:32, 02-Sep-2017
Prejudice causes elder Chinese-Americans to have suicidal tendencies
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Elderly Chinese-Americans are twice as likely to consider suicide facing ethnic discrimination than those who don't confront with similar biases, a new study of the University of Michigan (UM) shows.
UM researchers used data from 3,157 Chinese seniors who immigrated to the US an average of 20 years before completing the survey. Their average age was 72, and 57 percent of them were women.
Besides background information on the participants, such as age, education and marital status, the questionnaire asked about suicidal thoughts. Participants also provided specific experiences of discrimination.
An Asian American in the US /Photo via CNN
An Asian American in the US /Photo via CNN
About four percent considered suicide in past 30 days and roughly 21 percent reported experiencing discrimination in public places, at work and in other situations. Those who reported discrimination were nearly twice as likely to think about suicide as those who didn't harbor similar thoughts.
"Among older Chinese-Americans, discrimination encounters may not only invoke a sense of alienation and helplessness," said Lydia Li, UM associate professor of social work and the study's lead author. "Assimilation difficulty, cultural beliefs and family pride may preclude them from seeking help. Consequently, they may come to see suicide as a viable alternative."
The researchers also found that age, loneliness, pain and depression are significant risk factors for this group, but family support can be a positive protective factor to lessen the risk of suicidal thoughts.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency