Risk Factors for Latina Adolescents’ Mental Health and Well-Being

Abstract

Understanding how various risk factors influence the decision to take one’s own life is a critical aspect of being able to plan and implement effective prevention programs, interventions, and recovery treatments. We take an ecodevelopmental approach to understand multiple levels of ecological risk, so that we can really understand Latina teens within the U.S. context of negative stereotypes and strict immigration enforcement policies that may increase discrimination and family separation. Latina teens may encounter stressors that are atypical compared to other U.S. adolescents. Many studies have identified family as central to the perceptions of Latina teens; however, when families face unusual distress or conflict, it can lead to extreme actions by Latinas, including suicide ideation, plans, and attempts. A handful of studies also suggest that being a victim and bully contributes to suicidal ideation among Latina adolescents, as does dating violence. Lastly, alcohol and substance use have often been overlooked in suicide research, but it appears from national studies that there may be a link between substance use and Latina adolescent suicidal behaviors, which deserves further investigation.