AN ANALYSIS OF AGE, GENDER AND RACIAL-DIFFERENCES IN RECENT NATIONAL TRENDS OF YOUTH SUICIDE

Using estimated population figures generated by the National Center for Health Statistics, national mortality data for 1979 and 1984 were converted to rates of suicide per 100,000 living population. Using these adjusted rates of suicide, Multiple Classification Analysis was used to test main and interaction effects of historical time period, race, sex and age group on the adjusted rates of suicide. The data showed no overall change in rates of suicide from 1979 to 1984. Only main effects for race, sex and age were significant predictors of total suicide rates. Results indicate that males are at greater risk for suicide than same-race females and the rates of suicide increase rapidly with age. In addition, race patterns reveal that Caucasian adolescents and adolescents from other non-African American races are at nearly equal risk for suicide, with African American adolescents demonstrating a significantly lower risk of suicide. Future research should examine differences in suicide risk among members of more specifically defined racial groups. © 1994 Association for Professionals in Services for Adolescents.