Abstract
The authors described retrospectively the premorbid self-destructive behaviors of suicide victims to determine whether these behaviors differ with age. One hundred forty-one suicide victims, age 21-92 years, were studied by psychological autopsy. Older age was significantly associated with more determined and planful self-destructive acts, less violent methods, and fewer warnings of suicidal intent. Age differences in the behaviors leading to suicide indicate that intervention in the midst of a suicidal crisis may be less effective in elderly persons than in younger people. Primary prevention should be the focus of efforts to decrease suicide rates in late life.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 122-126 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1998 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Psychiatry and Mental health