What is it about?
Nine focus groups (group discussions) were conducted to assess patterns of distress, perceived causes, course/consequences of and reactions towards a suicidal crisis, help-seeking behavior, and potential intervention and prevention strategies. All participants were of Turkish descent living in Berlin, Germany. The focus groups included two with professionals such as psychiatrists or psychotherapists, two with Community Mothers, three with women from the community, and of three suicide attempters. Two central themes were identified: the impact of family and community and the impact of German society. Participants stated that they believe that family and community pressures as well as discrimination and lack of acceptance cause social isolation. Fear of stigmatization and dishonoring themselves or their family, as well as shame and selfstigma decrease the likelihood of reaching out for help.
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Why is it important?
Women of Turkish descent in Germany show higher rates of suicidal behavior compared to their host populations and men of Turkish descent. This indicates a demand for a better understanding of suicidality in this group.
Perspectives
Suicidality among immigrant women seems to be a psycho-social problem and thus should be addressed at several levels: community and family interventions, promotion of integration and social inclusion, awareness campaigns to destigmatize suicidality and the use of mental health services, empowerment of women, as well as the improvement of cultural sensitivity and competency of services.
Amanda Heredia Montesinos
Charité University Medicine Berlin
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Explanatory models of suicidality among women of Turkish descent in Germany: A focus group study, Transcultural Psychiatry, August 2018, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/1363461518792432.
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