Predictors of suicidal behaviour within South Asian females

Suicide is seen to be the second leading cause of death worldwide, and the South Asians are seen to be a very high risk group due to the traditional cultural values they hold. The South Asian culture can be seen as a facilitator in suicidal behaviour due to its rigidly defined cultural values. The most dominant theory of suicide seem to be the interpersonal theory of suicide first proposed by Joiner (2005). The theory however can be seen to be limited as it does not take into account cultural factors which may affect its core structures. The present study thus looked at how South Asian cultural values would influence the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide. 215 South Asian females took part in a questionnaire to measure their suicidal behaviours and the proposed predictors of suicide. A logistic binary regression found that the significant predictors of suicide that made participants more likely to consider suicide within the last 12 months were a higher perceived burdensomeness, lower social support from friends and a higher association to South Asian cultural values. None of the variables were seen to significantly predict suicide attempts within the last 12 months. Results thus showed that South Asian cultural values do in fact have an influence on the Theory of Interpersonal Suicide as South Asian women could be more at risk for suicidal ideation. The present study thus supports research that culturally sensitive psychological interventions need to be put in place to help South Asian women who could be more at risk for suicidal behaviour, to seek help and treatment.