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Citation |
Shah A. Int. Psychogeriatr. 2010; 22(5): 727-732. |
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Affiliation |
Ageing, Ethnicity and Mental Health, International School for Communities, Rights and Inclusion, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, U.K. and West London Mental Health NHS Trust, London, U.K. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2010, Cambridge University Press) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
20497623 |
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Abstract |
Background: A recent cross-national study demonstrated a curvilinear (inverted U-shaped curve) between elderly male suicide rates and the Human Development Index (HDI) fitting the quadratic equation y = a + bx - cx2 where y is the elderly male suicide rate, x is the HDI and a, b and c are constants). This study used only one-year cross-sectional data on suicide rates, and suicide rates can randomly fluctuate year on year.Methods: A study designed to replicate this curvilinear relationship between elderly suicide rates and the HDI was undertaken by: (i) using one-year average of five years data on suicide rates; and (ii) using more recent data on both elderly suicide rates than used in the previous study. Data were ascertained from the World Health Organization and the United Nations.Results: There was a significant curvilinear (inverted U-shaped curve) relationship between suicide rates in males aged 65-74 years, males aged 75+ years, females aged 65-74 years and the HDI fitting the quadratic equation y = a + bx - cx2. A similar curvilinear relationship was observed in females aged 75+ years, but the significance level only approached 0.05 level.Conclusions: The replication of the curvilinear (inverted U-shaped curve) relationship between elderly suicide rates and the HDI by using one-year average of five years data on suicide rates suggests that the observed relationship is robust and accurate. Language: en |