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Men’s depression and suicide literacy: a nationally representative Canadian survey
- Author:
- OLIFFE John L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 25(6), 2016, pp.520-526.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
Background: Male suicide prevention strategies include diagnosis and effective management of men’s depression. Fundamental to suicide prevention efforts is public awareness, which in turn, is influenced by literacy levels about men’s depression and suicide. Aim: The aim of this study is to examine sex differences in mental health literacy with respect to men’s depression and suicide among a cohort of Canadian respondents. Methods: About 901 English-speaking Canadian men and women completed online survey questionnaires to evaluate mental health literacy levels using 10-item D-Lit and 8-item LOSS questionnaires, which assess factual knowledge concerning men’s depression and suicide. Statistical tests (Chi-square, z-test) were used to identify significant differences between sex sub-groups at 95% confidence. Results: Overall, respondents correctly identified 67% of questions measuring literacy levels about male depression. Respondents’ male suicide literacy was significantly poorer at 53.7%. Misperceptions were especially evident in terms of differentiating men’s depressive symptoms from other mental illnesses, estimating prevalence and identifying factors linked to male suicide. Significant sex differences highlighted that females had higher literacy levels than men in regard to male depression. Conclusions: Implementing gender sensitive and specific programmes to target and advance literacy levels about men’s depression may be key to ultimately reducing depression and suicide among men in Canada. (Edited publisher abstract)
Culture and suicide: Korean-Canadian immigrants’ perspectives
- Authors:
- HAN Christina S.E., OLIFFE John L., OGRODNICZUK John S.
- Journal article citation:
- Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care, 6(2/3), 2013, pp.30-42.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe culture- and context-specific suicidal behaviours among Korean-Canadian immigrants as a means to guiding the development of targeted culturally sensitive suicide prevention programmes. Design/methodology/approach: Fifteen Korean-Canadian immigrants who had experiences with suicidal behaviours (e.g. suicidal ideation, suicide attempts) participated in this qualitative research study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for 30-90 minutes individually and constant comparison analysis methods were used to inductively derive recurrent prevailing themes from the interview data. Findings: The study findings reveal that causes and triggers for suicidal behaviours among Korean-Canadians most often emerged from academic and work pressures, estranged family and altered identities. Permeating these themes were deeply embedded cultural values, which according to the participants, could afford protection or heighten the risk for suicide. Research limitations/implications: By focussing only on first-generation Korean-Canadian immigrants, the results are limited in what they can reasonably say about other Canadian immigrant sub-groups. Practical implications: In light of the current research findings, mental health care providers should be cognizant of immigrant patients’ cultural backgrounds and life circumstances as a means to further understanding what underpins their risk for suicide. Originality/value: Notwithstanding the aforementioned limitation, this study contributes important empirical insights about Korean-Canadian immigrants’ suicidal ideation and risk/protective factors. This not only adds to the wider literature connecting culture and suicidality, it affirms the need for culture-specific research as a means to developing culturally sensitive mental health services. (Publisher abstract)