Suicidal Ideation and Migration Aspirations among Youth in Central Mexico

Keywords

migration, suicide, youth, Mexico, suicidal ideation

Abstract

Over the past 100 years the state of Guanajuato has consistently been one of the highest migrant sending states in Mexico. Youth living in high migratory states such as Guanajuato are heavily influenced by the expectation that they will travel to the US, and research has shown that those who do not migrate may be looked down upon by members of their community. This secondary analysis looks at the connection between suicidal ideation and migration aspirations among a group of adolescents living in Guanajuato, Mexico. Data were originally collected in 2007 as part of a comprehensive health survey of youth attending an alternative high schooling program. Regression analyses show that suicidal ideation predicts intentions to migrate among both males and females, while other factors differentially influence the adolescents by gender. The results indicate that suicidal ideation may be associated with migration aspirations among Mexican youth living in high migratory communities. Study limitations and implications are discussed.

Original Publication Citation

Hoffman, S. (2014). Suicidal ideation and migration aspirations among youth in central Mexico. Global Journal of Health Science, 6, 92-98. doi: 10.5539/gjhs.v6n1p92

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2014-1

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5759

Publisher

Global Journal of Health Science

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Social Work

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

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