title: On the role of neurobiological and genetic factors in the etiology and pathogenesis of suicidal behavior among immigrants.
abstract: Immigrants have higher rates of suicidal behavior than those in their countries of origin and their new countries. Immigration is a stressful life event which may lead to depression and suicidal behavior. Depressive disorders and suicidal behavior have a firm neurobiological and genetic basis. The author suggests that most immigrants who exhibit suicidal behavior in the new country had suicidal tendencies, and/or some degree of depression, and/or certain maladaptive personality traits in their countries of origin. The paper emphasizes the role of genetic and neurobiological factors in the human response to stressful events.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sher
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006801:Humans; D009446:Neurobiology; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted