Explaining cross-state differences in elderly suicide rates and identifying state-level public policy responses that reduce rates.

Full Abstract

Elderly Americans commit suicide at higher rates than other age groups. We contend that macro- and micro-social variables contribute distinct aspects to explanations of this tragic loss:
the former focus on circumstances that affect overall rates, the latter reveal why certain individuals succumb to suicide. Our analysis focuses on the macro-social end of a causal sequence including variables at both levels. We describe how elderly suicide rates vary among states, show that macrosocial indicators of social integration contribute to cross-state variation in elderly suicide rates, and explain how selected aspects of state-level public policy contribute to reducing elderly suicide rates.

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Author information

Author/s: Giles-Sims, Jean (J); Lockhart, Charles (C);

Affiliation: Dept. of Sociology, TCU, Fort Worth, Texas 76129-0001, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Suicide & life-threatening behavior (Suicide Life Threat Behav), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Dec; vol 36 (issue 6) : pp 694-708

Dates: Created 2007/01/25; Completed 2007/03/14;

PMID: 17250474, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Population Dynamics
Public Policy
Regression Analysis
Risk Factors
Sex Factors
Social Environment
Socioeconomic Factors
Suicide - prevention & control; statistics & numerical data
United States

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