Family and Social Context in Understanding Suicide Attempts among Individuals Who Are Deaf

Abstract

The goal of this study was to develop a better understanding of the role communication plays in poor mental health experienced by deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The accomplish this goal, data from the 2008 Deaf Health Survey were used to delineate variation in suicidal behavior (i.e., suicide ideation, planning, and attempts) by demographic characteristics, and determine if indicators reflecting enhanced communication (e.g., family member deafness or attending a school for the deaf) and presumed deaf socialization were protective factors for suicide behaviors. The sample consisted of 317 deaf individuals who used sign language in the catchment area surrounding Rochester, New York. The results indicate that non-Whites report more suicide planning and that non-Whites and women have higher rates of suicide attempts during the past 12 months. In addition, married and married-like couples were less likely to attempt suicide during their lifetime. Deaf individuals with higher educational attainment had greater odds of reporting lifetime suicide attempts than those with a high school degree or less. Having a deaf parent or sibling were not associated with suicide behavior outcomes, but school attendance was associated with lifetime suicide attempts. Specifically, suicide attempts are higher for individuals who attended both a hearing school and a deaf school relative to those who only attended a hearing school. Implications of study findings and suggestions for further study are discussed.