Center for End-of-Life Transition Research (CEoLTR)

Projects

Project #4 (Dr. Choi)

Cultural Sensitivity in Suicide Preventi on Vide os f or Asian American Audiences

PI (Dr. Choi)

  Asian Americans have recently emerged as the group with the fastest increase in rates of suicide deaths for men and women aged 20-24, rates now equal to other races in suicide attempts among high school students, and 1.5 times the likelihood of Whites for serious suicidal intent among college students. This gap is particularly disturbing given the availability of a well-accepted suicide awareness videotape. However, the widespread diffusion of this videotape is hindered by lack of research on effective and efficient ways to do so and on its appropriateness for Asian American college students. We propose a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study to compare suitability ratings (cultural relevance, credibility, and appeal) by 150 Asian American and 150 non-Hispanic White college students for a suicide awareness videotape, and its delivery via the Internet for raising suicide awareness. Students attending Chicago-based universities will be recruited to complete computerized questionnaires about their cultural orientation and attitudes about suicide, watch the streaming video, and then complete a computerized questionnaire about suitability of the video. Data analysis will include mixed approached: descriptive statistics, t tests, logistic regression, and content analysis. Study findings will lead to appropriate suicide awareness messages for all college students would recognize their culture and attitudes, and build upon them to provide context and meaning to the messages.