Trends in Youth Suicide in Tasmania: A Comparison Between Youth and Other Suicide (From Preventing Youth Suicide, P 37-51, 1992, Sandra McKillop, ed. - See NCJ- 139013)

• NCJ Number: 139015
• Author(s): J Haines; E Hart; C Williams; J Davidson; W Slaghuis
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

A survey of 1,051 persons who committed suicide in Tasmania between 1968 and 1987 were conducted to determine similaries and differences between adolescent and older completed suicides.

Abstract

The results show that, while some factors are highly associated with adolescent suicidal behavior, no typical suicidal profile emerged. The study confirmed previous findings that adolescents are the group least at risk for suicide. Males predominated in the adolescent suicide group. No differences were found between age groups in terms of previous attempts or communication of the intention to commit suicide. The use of firearms was overwhelming the most common method of juvenile suicide and also the preferred method among the older sample. This study found that social isolation was a more likely reason for suicide among the older group, while a higher proportion of the younger suicides were attributed to multiple personal losses and conflict, perhaps due to high levels of family dysfunction and instability. There was no evidence found of a high incidence of psychiatric disorder in the younger group. The study found that modeling is an important factor in young suicides; the authors suggest the media should be encouraged to balance the tragedy of youth suicide with its frequency. 33 references