Levels and Predictors of Suicide Literacy and Suicide Stigma in Spanish‐Speaking Individuals

• Published in: Brain and behavior 2024-11, Vol.14 (11), p.e70125-n/a
• Main Authors: Pierantonelli, Maitena, Mira, Adriana, Zamora, Ángel, Desdentado, Lorena, Diego‐Pedro, Rebeca, González‐Hernández, Edgar, Bretón‐López, Juana, García‐Palacios, Azucena, Baños, Rosa M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Anxiety; Female; Gender; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice - ethnology; Health Literacy; Help seeking behavior; Hispanic or Latino - psychology; Humans; Knowledge; Latin America; Latin America - ethnology; Literacy; Male; Mental depression; Mental health; Middle Aged; Original; Prevention; Quantitative psychology; Regression analysis; Risk factors; Social Stigma; Sociodemographics; Spain; Spanish‐speaking individuals; Stigma; Suicidal behavior; Suicidal ideation; Suicide - psychology; suicide literacy; suicide stigma; Suicides & suicide attempts; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2162-3279; 2162-3279
• DOI: 10.1002/brb3.70125

ABSTRACT Background One of the obstacles to seeking help for suicide is its social stigma. The literature suggests that suicide knowledge could impact this stigma. The present study aims to examine levels and predictors of suicide stigma and suicide literacy among Spanish‐speaking individuals from Spain and Latin America. Method A total of 678 adults completed an online survey conducted from December 2021 to May 2022. The survey assessed sociodemographic and clinical variables, including the Literacy of Suicide Scale (LOSS‐SF) and Stigma of Suicide Scale (SOSS‐SF). Results Results showed the presence of stigmatization and a moderate level of suicide literacy. Latin Americans presented significantly more stigmatizing attitudes and lower levels of suicide literacy than Spaniards. Older age and stronger religious/spiritual beliefs were correlated with lower suicide literacy. Suicide stigma was regressed on lower suicide literacy, gender (men), stronger religious/spiritual beliefs, and lacking knowledge about how to find help. Furthermore, the region was significantly associated with the suicide glorification subscale, reporting Latin Americans' greater glorification. Conclusions By examining these factors, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the attitudes and beliefs toward suicide. This understanding is crucial, as it may inform the development of effective interventions and prevention strategies that are culturally sensitive and tailored to diverse populations. Lower levels of suicide literacy were significantly correlated with higher suicide stigma, particularly among individuals with stronger religious or spiritual beliefs. Factors such as older age, stronger religious or spiritual beliefs, and being male were associated with lower suicide literacy and higher suicide stigma. The research highlights that Latin Americans reported higher levels of suicide glorification, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive interventions to address suicide stigma and improve suicide literacy.