Citation

Leo DD, Carollo G, Buono MD, Conforti D, Mastinu A. Arch. Suicide Res. 1995; 1(1): 3-7.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811119508258970

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this study we analyzed suicide rates, based on official ISTAT data published in the Health Statistics Year Book, relating to the Italian population aged over sixty-five, divided up into groups of five years, from 1958 to 1988. We calculated the rates of death by suicide (per 100,000 subjects) for each year and then, standardizing by sex, the mortality rates relative to each method of suicide for the overall population over sixty-five. Analysis of the results obtained shows that there was an increase in the suicide phenomenon in the elderly population in Italy over the tested period. The rates are at least three times higher in men than in women. The highest rates are reported for elderly men, but it seems that there has been a greater proportional increase with regard to the number of suicides committed by elderly women. The increase was statistically significant in both sexes (men: 0.81, p < 0.001, women: 0.85, p < 0.001). Over the thirty year study period, substantial changes have come about in the suicide methods used by old people. There seems to be an increase in poisoning by car exhaustion gases, poisoning by solid or liquid substances, jumping from heights, hanging, and the use of firearms. Apart from our prediction for the next twenty years (we calculated an increase of about 26.8%), it seems that suicidal behaviour is indeed on the increase among the elderly. © 1995 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.

Language: en