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Suicide amongst Irish Migrants in Britain: A Review of the Identity and Integration Hypothesis

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  • Peter J. Aspinall

    (Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent at Canterbury, Oak Lodge, David Salomons Estate, Broomhill Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0TG, UK.P.J.Aspinall@ukc.ac.uk)

Abstract

Background: Studies have consistently reported higher rates of suicide amongst Irish migrants in Britain than in the population as a whole. Leavey offers a hypothetical model to explain such rates that incorporates lack of social cohesion and integration meshed with the inability to establish an authentic identity and other contributory factors. Material: Systematic review methodologies are used to examine the central tenets of this explanatory framework. Some of the macro-level ecological associations in the model are critically evaluated in the context of findings from the 1991 Census and government social and household panel surveys. Discussion: The evidence base suggests that statements on social isolation and reluctance to use health care services are questionable and Irish migration is shown to be much more heterogeneous than the model suggests. Only small positive, and as yet unreplicated, associations have been established between identity and health behaviour in a non-representative sample and evidence is lacking of Irish stoicism and anti-Irish racism as putative risk factors. Epidemiological studies show that adjusting suicide rates for social class explains virtually none of the excess in Irish migrants, although higher risks for unmarried persons are reported. Explanations in the literature for higher rates of migrant suicide are discussed. Conclusions: Studies based on individual-level analysis and record linkage are urgently needed to explain the high rates.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter J. Aspinall, 2002. "Suicide amongst Irish Migrants in Britain: A Review of the Identity and Integration Hypothesis," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 48(4), pages 290-304, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:48:y:2002:i:4:p:290-304
    DOI: 10.1177/002076402128783325
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Dunn, James R. & Dyck, Isabel, 2000. "Social determinants of health in Canada's immigrant population: results from the National Population Health Survey," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 51(11), pages 1573-1593, December.
    5. Karlsen, S. & Nazroo, J.Y., 2002. "Relation between racial discrimination, social class, and health among ethnic minority groups," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(4), pages 624-631.
    6. Frank Trovato, 1986. "Suicide and Ethnic Factors in Canada," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 32(3), pages 55-64, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Liam Delaney & Alan Fernihough & James Smith, 2013. "Exporting Poor Health: The Irish in England," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 50(6), pages 2013-2035, December.
    2. Leavey, Gerard & Rozmovits, Linda & Ryan, Louise & King, Michael, 2007. "Explanations of depression among Irish migrants in Britain," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 65(2), pages 231-244, July.
    3. Antonios Paraschakis & Ioannis Michopoulos & Christos Christodoulou & Filippos Koutsaftis & Lefteris Lykouras & Athanassios Douzenis, 2014. "Characteristics of immigrant suicide completers in a sample of suicide victims from Greece," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 60(5), pages 462-467, August.

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