Medical Hypotheses
Volume 53, Issue 2 , Pages 110-111, August 1999

On the role of neurobiological and genetic factors in the etiology and pathogenesis of suicidal behaviour among immigrants

5901 Montrose Road, Rockville, MD, #S408, USA

Received 16 October 1997; accepted 5 January 1998.

Abstract 

Immigrants have higher rates of suicidal behavior than those in their countries of origin and their new countries. Immigration is a stressful life event which may lead to depression and suicidal behavior. Depressive disorders and suicidal behavior have a firm neurobiological and genetic basis. The author suggests that most immigrants who exhibit suicidal behavior in the new country had suicidal tendencies, and/or some degree of depression, and/or certain maladaptive personality traits in their countries of origin. The paper emphasizes the role of genetic and neurobiological factors in the human response to stressful events.

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PII: S0306-9877(98)90725-3

doi:10.1054/mehy.1998.0725

Medical Hypotheses
Volume 53, Issue 2 , Pages 110-111, August 1999

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