Citation

Wasserman D. Nord. J. Psychiatry 1990; 44(5): 457-462.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.3109/08039489009096597

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Wasserman D. Decreasing suicide rates in Stockholm County, Sweden. Trends in suicide frequency were explored for men and women in different age groups in Stockholm County during the 11-year period 1975-1985. Linear regression analysis of the demographically age-adjusted incidence of suicide yielded a statistically significant decrease in the number of suicides for both sexes, when all ages were pooled. When different age groups were analysed, a significant decrease was noted for both men and women in the 15- to 24-year age group and for men in the 55- to 64-year age group. Women in Stockholm County showed greater mortality from suicide than women throughout Sweden, The male to female ratio for Stockholm County was 1.6, compared with 2.4 for the whole of Sweden. Statistically significant decreases were also noted for undetermined suicides for women in the 45- to 54-year age group and when all age groups were pooled, and for men in the 15- to 24-year and 35- to 44-year age groups. The possibility that this decrease in suicide frequency is due to the diminished consumption of alcohol and psychopharmaca in Stockholm County is discussed. © 1990 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.

Language: en

Keywords

Alcohol consumption; Suicide trends; 1975-1985; Psychopharmaca consumption; Suicide decrease