Impact of Different Types of Substance Uses Among Asian-American Women: Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempt

Background: For young Asian-American women, suicide is the second leading cause of death behind accidental injury. However, there is little empirical epidemiological evidence about the correlates of suicidal behavior among this group. Objective: This is the first epidemiological study to examine the impact of multiple types of substance uses on suicidal ideation and attempt. Methods: We collected information on substance use and suicidality of 720 Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese women who reside in Massachusetts using Computer-Assisted Survey Interview (CASI). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the association between substance uses (cigarette smoking, Marijuana use and other illicit drugs) and life time suicidality, controlling for depression, family communication level, and demographic variables. Results: Approximately 18% of women reported having suicidal thoughts and 7% reported having attempted suicide. Having used cigarettes or marijuana was associated with greater risks for suicidality. However, those women who have used all three types of substances, cigarettes, marijuana and other illicit drugs, were at the greatest risks for both suicide ideation (OR: 3.0) and suicide attempt (OR: 4.3). Furthermore, exposure to low level of family communication and depression were consistently associated with high risks for both suicide ideation and suicide attempt. Conclusions: These findings add a greater urgency to addressing the role of multiple types of substance uses in designing suicidal prevention program among Asian-American women.