School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-10-2025
Abstract
Objectives: Suicide risk among Latina adolescents is shaped by dynamic interactions among emotional, behavioral, and sociocultural factors. This study develops a causal feedback theory to illustrate how these factors reinforce or mitigate suicide risk over time.
Method: Using grounded theory analysis, we analyzed qualitative interviews with 60 Latina adolescents (ages 11-19) recruited from New York City: 30 with a history of suicide attempts and 30 with no reported history of suicidal behaviors. Participants varied by Hispanic cultural group, place of birth, and documentation status.
Results: Our feedback theory is organized around seven categories: cognitive vulnerabilities, avoidant coping, high-risk behaviors, family conflict, social support, cultural socialization, and ethnic identity. A reinforcing loop of cognitive vulnerabilities, avoidant coping, high-risk behaviors, and family conflict was more common among adolescents who had attempted suicide. In contrast, social support, cultural socialization, and ethnic identity functioned as protective mechanisms that disrupted risk loops among those without suicidal behaviors. These findings suggest that while risk factors increase the likelihood of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, access to protective resources can interrupt risk trajectories and promote resilience.
Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of culturally responsive suicide prevention strategies that strengthen social support, cultural socialization, and ethnic pride. By modeling suicide risk as a dynamic system, these findings provide new insights for intervention efforts tailored to the experiences of Latina adolescents.
Recommended Citation
Gulbas, L. E., Hovmand, P. S., Calzada, E. J., Hausmann-Stabile, C., Kim, S. Y., & Zayas, L. H. (2025). Charting suicide risk in Latina adolescents: A qualitative system dynamics approach. Cultural diversity & ethnic minority psychology, 10.1037/cdp0000772. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000772
Publication Title
Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology
DOI
10.1037/cdp0000772
Comments
© 2025, American Psychological Association. This manuscript is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the final, authoritative version of the article. Please do not copy or cite without authors’ permission. The final version of record is available via its DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000772