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A replication of the relationship between elderly suicide rates and the human development index in a cross-national study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 May 2010

Ajit Shah
Ajit Shah*
Affiliation:
Ageing, Ethnicity and Mental Health, International School for Communities, Rights and Inclusion, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, U.K. and West London Mental Health NHS Trust, London, U.K.
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Professor A. Shah, John Connolly Unit, West London Mental Health NHS Trust, Uxbridge Road, Southall, Middlesex UB1 3EU, U.K. Phone: +44 0208 354 8191; Fax +44 0208 354 8307. Email: ajit.shah@wlmht.nhs.uk.
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Abstract

Background: A recent cross-national study demonstrated a curvilinear (inverted U-shaped curve) between elderly male suicide rates and the Human Development Index (HDI) fitting the quadratic equation y = a + bx − cx2 where y is the elderly male suicide rate, x is the HDI and a, b and c are constants). This study used only one-year cross-sectional data on suicide rates, and suicide rates can randomly fluctuate year on year.

Methods: A study designed to replicate this curvilinear relationship between elderly suicide rates and the HDI was undertaken by: (i) using one-year average of five years data on suicide rates; and (ii) using more recent data on both elderly suicide rates than used in the previous study. Data were ascertained from the World Health Organization and the United Nations.

Results: There was a significant curvilinear (inverted U-shaped curve) relationship between suicide rates in males aged 65–74 years, males aged 75+ years, females aged 65–74 years and the HDI fitting the quadratic equation y = a + bx − cx2. A similar curvilinear relationship was observed in females aged 75+ years, but the significance level only approached 0.05 level.

Conclusions: The replication of the curvilinear (inverted U-shaped curve) relationship between elderly suicide rates and the HDI by using one-year average of five years data on suicide rates suggests that the observed relationship is robust and accurate.

Keywords

elderly suicideslife expectancysocioeconomic statuseducational status
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 22 , Issue 5 , August 2010 , pp. 727 - 732
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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