Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Abbiategrasso Brain Bank Protocol for Collecting, Processing and Characterizing Aging Brains
Published on: June 3, 2020
Late life suicide in Italy, 1980-2015
Diego De Leo1,2, Monica Vichi3, Kairi Kolves4
1Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University, Mt Gravatt Campus, Brisbane, 4122, Australia. d.deleo@griffith.edu.au.
Aim:
Suicide trends in older adults were examined in Italy from 1980 to 2015. Age groups considered were 65-74 years, 75-84 and 85 + years.
Methods:
Data on suicide deaths were obtained from the Italian Mortality Database (IMDB) collected by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) and processed by the Statistics Unit of the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità). Joinpoint regression analyses were carried out for age subgroups by sex. In addition, data related to four main macro-areas of Italy were considered: North-West, North-East, Centre, and South with Islands (Sicily and Sardinia).
Results:
Starting by 1985, declines were noted in all age groups with more noticeable decreases in older adults aged 75-84 and 85 + years. Female subjects demonstrated more ample falls in rates than male individuals. Declines were detected in all macro-areas of Italy.
Conclusion:
Improved health assistance and quality of life of older individuals have probably contributed to the decline of suicide rates of senior citizens, who also showed improved poverty indices in the country, differently from all other age groups.
Related Concept Videos
Kubler Ross's Stages of Dying
In denial, individuals reject the reality of their condition, often thinking, "This isn't true; I feel fine," as a way to protect themselves from...
Bonanno's Theory of Grieving
Resilience
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early...
Applications of Life Tables
Longitudinal Research
Long-term Depression

