Adolescent Suicide in the Federated States of Micronesia: A Literature Review

Coulter, Paulette M. (September 2022). "Adolescent Suicide in the Federated States of Micronesia: A Literature Review". Pacific Asia Inquiry. Mangilao, Guam: University of Guam. 13 (1): 94–124. ISSN 2154-5985 .

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Abstract: This article provides a comprehensive literature review of adolescent suicide in the Federated States of Micronesia, focusing on the foundational work of Francis X. Hezel and Donald H. Rubinstein. It traces the development of sociocultural theories explaining suicide, emphasizing intra-familial conflict, cultural concepts such as amwunumwun, and structural changes associated with modernization, monetization, and shifts from extended to nuclear family systems. The study also reviews critiques and alternative explanations, including socialization breakdown, economic pressures, and cultural transformation. It highlights the persistence of high suicide rates among young males and explores emerging factors such as migration, substance use, and intergenerational disconnection. The article calls for expanded interdisciplinary approaches and greater attention to cultural, political, and economic contexts in understanding and preventing suicide in Micronesia.