Rural-urban differences in reasons for living.
OBJECTIVE
The suicide rate in Australia is cause for concern, especially the increase in attempted and completed suicides in rural and regional locations. The present study examined reasons for choosing not to commit suicide as a function of residential location.


METHODS
The study involved 655 Victorian residents from four population-based strata; urban, regional city, regional town, and rural.


RESULTS
Results from the Reasons for Living Inventory revealed significant differences as a function of residential location. Overall, residents in rural locations reported having significantly more to live for than their urban counterparts. Further analysis of six reasons for living (child, family, moral, social, coping and death-related concerns) showed a pattern whereby residents in rural locations reported having the most to live for, followed by regional residents, and urban residents who reported having the least to live for.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings are in contrast to increase of suicide rates in rural areas, and highlight the need for a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying suicidal behaviour.
McLaren
Suzanne
S
School of Behavioural and Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Ballarat, PO Box 663, Ballarat 3353, Victoria, Australia. s.mclaren@ballarat.edu.au
Hopes
Lisa M
LM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*