ANN ARBOR—Blacks and whites are similar in their perceptions about how suicide can stigmatize their respective communities, according to a new study co-authored by a University of Michigan researcher.

The finding, which appears in the August issue of the Journal of Black Psychology, is contrary to other published studies indicating that suicide is more stigmatized in the black community.

“When African Americans are seriously suicidal in response to difficult life events, family or friends who believe that life’s difficulties do not warrant a suicidal act may not respond or intervene actively,” said co-authors Rheeda Walker of the University of South Carolina, David Lester of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and Sean Joe of U-M.

The researchers examined the cultural beliefs of suicide among African Americans and whites. They studied the responses of 251 undergraduate college students who completed four questionnaires regarding suicide, focusing on attitudes, stigma, life ownership and suicidal thoughts.

Prevention and intervention efforts are often compromised, as blacks are reluctant to disclose suicide-related thinking or planning. If the black community helps those exhibiting warning signs for suicidal tendencies, such as giving away valuables or talking about suicide, the number of suicide deaths and severe suicide attempts can be reduced, said U-M researcher Sean Joe.

This study also indicated black people believe that God controls life and that suicide cannot be attributed to life stressors. Whites are more likely to believe suicide attempts are triggered by conflict, work stress or experiencing a broken home, and that the individual or government is responsible for life.

“This means whites are more likely to blame themselves, thus increasing the propensity for the onset of depression and other psychiatric disorders associated with an increased risk for suicide,” Joe said.

In another study written by Joe and published in the same journal, the suicide rate for blacks” mainly among males” peaked in the early 1980s as unemployment, decaying communities, family disruption and the proliferation of firearms might have caused many to take their lives.

This period coincided with social change and upheaval, including post civil rights movement reactions” such as the elimination of social services. The high suicide rates, especially among younger blacks, continued for nearly 10 years.

Joe explored pattern changes of black suicide in the United States from 1981 to 2002 by using mortality data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Based on five-year intervals from ages 10-14 to 80-84, the highest suicide mortality rates for black males and females were ages 25-29 at 41 incidents per 100,000 people and 30-34 at about eight incidents per 100,000 people, respectively.

Joe analyzed how suicide impacted cohort effects, which looks at the factors or life events that affect a group of similarly aged” usually younger” individuals and how it continues to influence their subsequent suicidal behavior and mental health. Younger blacks are more susceptible to suicidal forces because they are more likely to accept taking their lives as a solution to life problems than previous generations. Intervention and prevention efforts should target this group, as well as the elderly, who face health challenges that often increase their chances to consider suicide as an option, Joe said.

Suicide rates among blacks are typically higher for males than females, who usually seek emotional support, have less access to firearms or have stronger religious ties, the study indicated. “Females’ lower rates may also be attributed to greater perceived gender discrimination and less perceived racism,” said Joe, an assistant professor in the U-M School of Social Work.

Joe and Walker are researchers with the Emerging Scholars Interdisciplinary Network Research Study Group on Suicide among African Americans, which proposed this topic for publication.

Related Links:

• Sean Joe faculty profile
• To learn more about ESIN
• The Journal of Black Psychology