Graduation Year

2019

Document Type

Open Access Senior Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Psychology

Reader 1

Qutayba Abdullatif

Reader 2

Jennifer Groscup

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© 2018 Cienna Sorensen

Abstract

College students are at an increased risk for suicide. The federal government has gone to great lengths to try to implement suicide prevention programs, but few studies have been done to design, implement and assess the effectiveness of the programs. Latinas are at an especially high risk for suicide, and research suggests that interpersonal conflict is a potential risk factor for Latinas' suicidal behavior. Thwarted belongingness, as stated in Joiner’s Interpersonal Theory of Suicide, may be a possible explanation for the higher rates due to the importance placed on interpersonal relationships based on Latino cultural values. Bicultural identity has been linked to better psychological adjustment and possibly well-being, so it will be assessed as well. The proposed study will have Latina college students (N=783) participate in group sessions that allow for the processing of interpersonal problems and learning communication skills to resolve conflicts. They will be asked to fill out measures of belonging, bicultural identity and general well-being. Measures of general well-being will be used as a proxy for suicidal behavior. It is predicted that participant scores of belonging and their well-being will increase following participation. Scores of belonging and well-being are expected to have an inverse linear relationship. Participants’ scores of bicultural identity and belonging will be strong significant predictors of participants’ score of bicultural identity and belonging will predict increases in participants' well-being. Limitations and future research are also discussed.

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