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Abstract
Since the 1990s, the need for suicide prevention research has drastically increased in the United States. Though this need is particularly evident among Latino families. Latino caregivers are underrepresented in suicide prevention research. The lack of research leaves significant gaps in knowledge which may hinder the effectiveness of suicide prevention among Latino adolescents. Specifically, there is limited information on the relationship between Latino caregivers’ suicide-related prevention communication (SPC) self-efficacy and even less on how they can and may want to be involved in suicide prevention. This three-article dissertation uses an integrated mixed method design to start remedying these gaps. The study analyzes both quantitative and qualitative data collected from the existing literature on suicide among Latino adolescents and a sample of Latino caregivers (N = 133) in Georgia to elucidate Latino caregivers’ (a) role in suicide prevention; (b) their levels of suicide prevention engagement, suicide literacy, and SPC self-efficacy; and (c) their recommendations for a culturally responsive suicide prevention program targeting them as agents of change. The first article, a scoping study, summarizes the existing literature on Latino families — especially caregivers — within Latino adolescent suicide research. The second article builds on the scoping study findings to develop a survey instrument to explore Latino caregivers’ knowledge, engagement, and self-efficacy about adolescent suicide in their communities and its prevention. The third article focuses on a subsample of the survey participants (n = 22) to conducts in-depth interviews. These interviews expand on the quantitative survey findings regarding Latino caregivers’ endorsed desire for a culturally specific suicide prevention program that involves them. Implications for social work practice, education, policy, and research from the three studies are presented.