Suicidal Ideation in Migrant Children and Preadolescents and its Relation to Discrimination and Contextual Problems

Background. Research regarding the effects of discrimination on suicidal thoughts of migrant youth is scarce. For this reason, the present study sought to examine the relationship between experiences of discrimination and suicidal ideation in migrant boys and girls considering as mediating variables the Problems with Classmates and Integration and Social Competence. Methods. A cross-sectional design was used for the study, which considered a sample of 198 young migrants in Chile, 101 (51%) of whom were male and 97 (49%) females, aged between 9 and 13 years (ME = 10.18; SD = .92). A multiple mediation analysis was carried out. Results. The estimated model indicated that discrimination is positively related to suicidal ideation and that this relationship is fully mediated by peer problems and social integration and competence of migrant children. Conclusion. Our findings demonstrate the importance of addressing and preventing discrimination within the classroom. Migrants who experience discrimination can be severely affected, with serious consequences for their mental health. Actively promoting the inclusion of migrant children could help to combat discrimination within the school context.