Connected for Life: How Social Connectedness Can Help Prevent Suicide in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities

Overview

Journal Arch Psychiatr Nurs

Specialties Nursing
Psychiatry

Date 2024 Jul 21

PMID 39034087

Authors

Marija Bogic

Luciana E Hebert

Anna Evanson

Barbara Wright

Martina Fruhbauerova

Anthippy Petras

Kelley Jansen

Jennifer Shaw

Sam Bradshaw

Marcia OLeary

Tracy Zacher

Kenny Smoker

Katherine Anne Comtois

Lonnie Nelson

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Enhancing social support and connectedness can reduce suicide risk, yet few studies have examined this effect in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults. We assessed suicidal ideation and behavior, thwarted belongingness, social support, enculturation, historical trauma, and traumatic life events in 709 AI/AN adults at high risk of suicide from five AI/AN communities. Suicidal ideation was associated with thwarted belongingness and protected against by social support and engaging in AI/AN ceremonies. Among those who made lifetime suicide attempts, traumatic life events, symptoms of depression/anxiety due to historical trauma, and thwarted belongingness were linked to more attempts. More engagement in cultural practices was associated with fewer suicide attempts. Higher levels of social support were associated with more suicide attempts, an observation potentially attributable to the cross-sectional nature of the study. Interventions should focus on protective factors and context-specific interventions emphasizing community history, values, and strengths.

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