John L. McIntosh

SUICIDE AMONG THE ELDERLY: Levels and Trends

Despite the publicity attending increased rates of suicide for the young, U.S. suicide rates continue to be highest in old age. Suicide thus represents a major mental health problem for a still-neglected age group. National levels and trends of suicide among the aged are presented by sex and race for 1933-1978. Explanations of these trends are considered, and information is provided on recognition and prevention of geriatric suicide.

Methods of Suicide by Age: Sex and Race Differences among the Young and Old.

The elderly have the highest suicide rate in the United States. In partial explanation of this finding, a common statement in the suicide literature is that older persons tend to use more drastic and effective methods of suicide. However, little, if any, data have been presented in defense of this explanation. In order to investigate the validity of this contention, annual official statistics for specific methods of suicide (firearms, hanging, poisons) by age for different sex and racial groups (whites, blacks, nonwhites excluding black) were examined from 1960 to 1978. Comparisons among the age-sex-race groups, along with trends over time and differences in the methods employed, were noted. For white males, blacks of both sexes, and nonwhites excluding black females, the findings confirmed the use of more violent methods by the elderly than by the young in terms of the proportion of suicides by firearms and/or hanging. Less support and, in fact, opposite results for method-related age differences were obtained for white females and nonwhites excluding black males. Another general finding was an increase in the use of firearms for most of the groups studied. The need for data for specific groups within the nonwhite category excluding blacks is apparent both from the available literature and from the present findings. Possible explanations and implications of the observed results are discussed.

Suicide facts and myths: A study of prevalence

Abstract Although statements regarding “myths” about suicide are common in the literature, few empirical investigations have been conducted to determine the extent to which such “myths” are believed. A 32-item questionnaire concerning demographic and clinical correlates of suicidality was administered to 271 college students. Past history of personal suicidal behavior and that of others known to the subjects were also determined. In general, performance was poor with an average score of 59.1 percent, or 18.9 items correctly answered. Subjects with the following characteristics performed best (though still at generally low levels): those with training in suicide prevention or crisis intervention, those with some educational experience about suicide, older students, those with higher college class standing and those enrolled in upper level college courses. In a second study, 49 home health care personnel and 32 individuals being trained to do outreach work with the elderly were given a 16-item subset of the...

Grief reactions among suicide survivors: An exploratory comparison of relationships

Abstract Little research has focused upon those who survive the suicide death of a family member. Among the existing research, survivors representing only one interpersonal relationship class to the deceased (e.g., widows or parents) are usually studied or no differentiation is made with respect to this factor. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate some of the assumptions frequently made regarding differences among suicide survivors as a result of their kinship relation to the deceased. Questionnaires were sent to a convenience sample of survivors who had contacted the Minneapolis Suicide Survivors Grief Group. Responses from 141 individuals who survived the suicide death of a child (N = 56), spouse (N = 24), parent (N = 24), or sibling (N = 37) were studied. Few kinship group differences were observed for feelings of guilt or anger, the severity of seeing the death scene in ones mind, personal symptoms following the suicide, or aspects of social stigma or shame. When kinship group dif...

Components of the decline in elderly suicide: Suicide among the young-old and old-old by race and sex

Abstract Although suicide rates among the elderly have declined dramatically over time, the old remain the highest risk age group. The role of sex and race and the contribution of the young-old and old-old to this marked decrease in suicide rates were considered from 1933 to 1978. A compilation of official suicide statistics by age, sex, and race is presented which reveals that decreases in elderly suicide were primarily a male and white phenomenon and that rate declines were slightly larger among the young-old than among the old-old. Some data problems and several explanations for the decline in suicide rates among the old are considered.

Integrating Suicidology into Abnormal Psychology Classes: The Revised Facts on Suicide Quiz

Although most abnormal psychology textbooks and instructors give extensive coverage to topics such as depression, they cover suicide less consistently. This article describes a class activity using the Revised Facts on Suicide Quiz (RFOS) that focuses on myths and misinformation students may have about suicide. The activity can take 55 to 75 mm or can be modified for shorter or longer coverage. Suggestions for incorporating the RFOS in class discussion and references supporting correct quiz answers are provided.

Survivors of Suicide: A Comprehensive Bibliography

A bibliography of the literature on survivors of suicide is presented. Journal articles, books, book chapters, abstracts in proceedings of professional meetings, and pamphlets on the topic of survivor-victims are listed. Brief annotations are provided for some citations.

Epidemiology of Suicide in the United States

An American dies by his or her own hand on the average of every 17 minutes (1986, data calculated from figures in National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS]; 1988a) or approximately 85 self-inflicted deaths per day. The more than 30,000 suicides in 1986 (30,904) represent a rate of 12.8 per 100,000 population. In other words, if a representative sample of 100,000 Americans had been chosen on January 1 of 1986 and followed through the year, by the end of the day on December 31 about 12 or 13 would have died by suicide. This number of deaths places suicide currently as the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. The present chapter will focus on the epidemiological factors associated with these 30,000 annual suicide deaths.

Quantitative Methods in Suicide Research: Issues Associated With Official Statistics

A practical and basic discussion of the nature and use of official statistics reveals strengths, weaknesses, and limitations of such data in understanding and describing deaths by suicide. Specific sources of official data are noted as well. Finally, the complementary nature of quantitative (as represented in official statistics) and qualitative research methodologies is briefly discussed.

Trends in racial differences in U.S. suicide statistics

Abstract Although suicide rates for the U.S. white population are markedly higher than those for the U. S. nonwhite population, it has been suggested that racial differences are changing as nonwhite rates increase. Official suicide figures by race for 1933 to 1985 revealed slightly reduced racial differences, but the differences were produced largely by white suicide rate decreases and not by nonwhite increases. Except in young adulthood, racial differences remain large, and these data indicate that no significant change in racial differences has occurred or seems likely in the near future.