Sociodemographic predictors of firearm suicide among older white males.
Compared to women, younger males, and other racial/ethnic groups in the United States, white males 65 and over have the highest suicide rates. Using the Mortality Detail Files (1989-1991), this study examined the sociodemographic factors associated with late life firearm (vs other methods) suicide among white males. White males aged 65-84 residing in nonmetropolitan areas who were married, divorced, or widowed and with less than a high school education were significantly more likely to have killed themselves with a firearm than with other methods. Policy initiatives and community interventions should incorporate knowledge of those demographic subgroups most at risk for firearm suicide.
Kaplan
M S
MS
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, School of Social Work 61801, USA.
Adamek
M E
ME
Geling
O
O
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002423:Cause of Death; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000401:mortality* / Q000523:psychology