A qualitative study using Cultural Consensus Modeling (Phase 3) interviewed N=21 Black adolescents aged 11–18 to explore shared cultural beliefs about factors contributing to suicidal ideation, using thematic analysis of in-depth interviews.
Five themes emerged as culturally salient contributors to suicidal ideation: (1) Internalized Racism and Devaluation, (2) Perceived Pressure to Succeed, (3) Isolation and Exclusion due to Bullying, (4) Stigma and Invalidation of Mental Health Problems in the Black Community, and (5) Hopelessness.
- Very small sample (N=21); findings may not generalize beyond participants. - Single-phase qualitative data limits causal inference. - Findings represent Phase 3 of a larger parent study; full CCM conclusions are not yet reported.
Clinicians working with Black adolescents should screen for internalized racism, bullying-related isolation, and mental health stigma as culturally specific suicide risk factors. Culturally tailored prevention efforts should directly address community-level stigma and the racial devaluation experiences that Black youth report as drivers of hopelessness and suicidal ideation.
