Effects of age and gender on elderly suicide rates in Catholic and Orthodox countries: an inadvertent neglect?
When compared to suicide rates in the general population, it may be expected that elderly suicide rates would be lower in Catholic and Orthodox societies than in non-Catholic or non-Orthodox countries because of religious affiliations and extended family traditions. National suicide rates in the general population were compared with rates in the sub-population of those aged over 75 years. Proportionately, there are significantly higher suicide rates in elderly men in Catholic and Orthodox countries, compared to rates in other countries, with a trend for similar findings among women. There may be important implications on health and social policy and clinical practice in the efforts to reduce suicide rates among elderly people.
Pritchard
C
C
Department of Mental Health, University of Southampton, University Department of Psychiatry, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton SO14 0YG, UK.
Baldwin
D
D
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002410:Catholicism / Q000523:psychology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002835:Christianity / Q000523:psychology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology