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Variation in national suicide rates over time
1Psychology Program, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona 08240-0195, USA.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|September 15, 1999
Summary
Nations with a larger youth population experienced more fluctuating national suicide rates between 1960 and 1990. This demographic factor correlated with greater variability in suicide trends over three decades.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Epidemiology
- Sociology
Background:
- National suicide rates exhibit varying trends globally.
- The age structure of a population is a key demographic factor influencing societal outcomes.
- Understanding demographic influences on public health is crucial for policy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the proportion of a young population (under 15) and national suicide rate variability.
- To analyze demographic factors affecting suicide rate fluctuations over a defined period.
Main Methods:
- Cross-national comparative analysis.
- Statistical examination of national suicide rates and age demographics across 30 countries.
- Longitudinal data analysis from 1960 to 1990.
Main Results:
- A positive correlation was observed between the proportion of the population under 15 and the variability of national suicide rates.
- Countries with younger demographics showed significantly greater fluctuations in suicide rates during the study period.
- No other demographic factors were specified in relation to this finding.
Conclusions:
- The proportion of young individuals in a nation's population is associated with increased variability in national suicide rates.
- Demographic composition, specifically a youthful population, may be a significant factor in understanding temporal shifts in suicide trends.
- Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying this demographic-suicide rate relationship.