Title:Suicide and Substance Use among African American Adolescents
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Author(s): Jonathan C. Blassingame III*, Eric D. Sumlin and So Yu Cicy Ng
Affiliation:
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, One
Baylor Plaza MS: BCM350, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Keywords:
Adolescent suicide, African American adolescents, risk factors, protective factors, substance use, suicide.
Abstract:
Background: Suicide among African American adolescents is a
significant and preventable public health issue in the United States. Recently, the
suicide rate among this group has significantly increased. At the same time, that
for White adolescents has remained relatively stable, and those for Hispanic,
Asian American, Pacific Islander, and other adolescents have decreased. While
multiple factors influence suicidality, substance use is a significant factor that
links to increased suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide. This review
paper aims to discuss the relevant factors contributing to suicide and substance
use among African American adolescents.
Objectives: (1) The objective was to investigate (historical), socio-economic,
cultural, and environmental factors that contribute to higher rates of suicide and
substance use among this population. (2) Explore the impact of systemic racism,
poverty, and community violence on suicide and substance use in African
American adolescents and (3) Identify and discuss resilience factors that can help
mitigate the risks of suicide and substance use.
Methods: A qualitative review was conducted to identify selected relevant
articles on suicide and substance use among African American adolescents
published between 1990 and 2023 in PubMed, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library,
Medline, and Psychiatry Online.
Results: Historical risk factors associated with adolescent suicide generally have
not been inclusive or relevant to differing racial and ethnic backgrounds. Assessing
suicidality using “common” suicide risk factors poses a major problem. It is a less
reliable predictor of suicide for African American adolescents, thus leading to
ineffective suicide prevention and intervention. Relevant risk factors are selfesteem,
family support, racism and racial discrimination, poverty, and the
intersection of different marginalized identities. The relevant protective factors are
religiosity and spirituality, family support, social support, private regard/strong
African American identity, and personal factors.
Conclusion: Research on suicide among African American adolescents is still
emerging, particularly in identifying relevant risk and protective factors for
accurately assessing suicidal ideation. Substance use serves as one coping
mechanism for dealing with the challenges of structural racism, discrimination,
and oppression.