1129 – Suicide Risk And Psychopathology In Immigrants: The Role Of Hopelessness, Temperament, Personality, And Self-other Perception

Abstract

Background

Immigrants may experience several negative consequences as a result of their migration including discrimination, unsatisfactory economic conditions, and rejection from the host countries, which may contribute to psychiatric illness and vulnerability to suicidal behaviors. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether or not the theorized components of measured dimensions of suicidal ideation and psychopathology vary across samples of Italians and immigrants.

Methods

We investigated 310 Italians and 322 immigrants, who were administered self-report questionnaires to assess temperament (TEMPS-A), hopelessness (BHS), personality (EPQ-R), and self-other perception (9AP).

Results

Multi-group Confirmatory Factor Analysis presented a final model with an excellent fit to the data (x²₍₅₃₎ = 57.56; CFI = .994; RMSEA = .014), significantly better than the previous models, showing the same pattern of relationships between suicidal ideation and psychopathology across Italians and immigrants.

Conclusions

Although immigrants represent a unique population and may experience specific stressors contributing to psychopathology and suicide risk, our findings suggest that the samples of Italians and immigrants may be more similar on the study variables under investigation than previously thought. Implications are offered for the improved identification and treatment of immigrants and resident citizens in Europe in general and in Italy in particular.