Social and Health-Related Outcomes of Immigration in Relation to Suicidal Attempts of the Immigrants in Tabriz Slums: A Explanatory Research Based on the Grounded Theory

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Universally, there is a greater rate of suicide among immigrant populations as a consequence of social and health-related implications of immigration and acculturation. As a part of a comprehensive research project that shows an increased rate of suicide among people who immigrate to slums of Tabriz, this study is conducted to find etiological factors of this increased rate using a qualitative approach. Materials and Methods: The study population was those immigrants who have experienced suicide by themselves or those who had relationships with them. Data collected from 34 samples using semi-structured interview technique and analyzed according to the Grounded theory method of Strauss and Corbin (1998). Finally, a comparison with the existing research evidence was made to draw conclusion Results: The findings revealed two main concepts associated 6 subcategories: structural and grounded problems of dwelling in slums is first main concept that contains subcategories of (1. poverty, unemployment and false professions; 2. poor level status of social, environmental and individual health indicators; 3. settlement in unsafe neighborhood), and mutual oppositions in immigrants life is second main category that includes other 3 subcategories of (1. inter-generational oppositions; 2. displeasing effects of male chauvinism culture on physical and mental health of women; 3. normative conflict between expectations of traditional extended families and nuclear families). Conclusion: Though meanings of these categories highlight two perceivable groups of factors that may cause suicidal attempt in immigrants, but core category of this research reflects a complex collection of interactive factors as causes of suicide, of course this is the subject that have been supported by results of many valid researches.