Citation

Jensen BF, Christiansen E. Psychiatr. Danub. 2006; 18(Suppl 1): 56-57.

Affiliation

Centre for Suicide Research, Sondergade 17, 5000 Odense C, Denmark. bj@selvmordsforskning.dk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Facultas Universitatis Studiorum Zagrabiensis - Danube Symposion of Psychiatry)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16963941

Abstract

Introduction: Rates of attempted suicide among young Danish women has increased 322% from 1990-2003 for 15-19 years old and 66% from 2000-2003 for 20-29 years old. This study analyses suicidal behaviour as a generation phenomenon. Methodology: Data from Register for Suicide Attempts were analysed. Individuals were divided into 5-year birth cohorts, the oldest being born 1965 to 1969 and the youngest born from 1985 to 1989. Participants 2265 individuals born between 1965 and 1989, (age 15+), who had 3543 attempted suicides were analysed. Results: Males had lower rates of attempted suicide than females, and variation in rates was only age-dependent. Females compared at the same age showed increasing rates of attempted suicides for younger than older generations. The higher rates among younger generations of females were attributed to an increasing number of females having attempted suicides and each individual having more suicide attempts (especially an increasing number of individuals having several attempts). Conclusion: Rates of suicide attempts among young Danish women are increasing because more individuals are engaged in attempted suicides and each individual performs more attempts.

Language: en