Citation

Mirsky J, Kohn R, Dolberg P, Levav I. Soc. Psychiatry Psychiatr. Epidemiol. 2011; 46(11): 1133-1141.

Affiliation

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel, julmir@bgu.ac.il.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00127-010-0280-5

PMID

20820755

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This paper explores the association between suicidal behavior and immigrant status among Israeli residents from the former USSR (FSU). METHOD: The Israeli component of the World Mental Health Survey (INHS) provided information on suicide ideations, plans and attempts. The INHS samples included Israel-born Jews (n = 2,114) and post-1990 immigrants from the FSU (n = 814). Data on completed suicide were extracted from the countrywide report of the Ministry of Health. RESULTS: The controlled lifetime rates of suicidal behavior among FSU immigrants were significantly higher than among their Israel-born counterparts. A higher risk was found in the first years following immigration among young adults with higher education and without a spouse. Completed suicide rates were higher among the FSU immigrants than in the general Israeli population with the largest risk among young-adult immigrant men. DISCUSSION: The findings are consistent with previous studies and are discussed in the context of both suicide rates in the country of origin and migratory stressors. Preventive measures are suggested.

Language: en