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Abstract
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The total death rate for 15-24-yr-olds in the U.S. rose by a fifth during the 1960s. The rise was due to a doubling of suicide and homicide and increases of a third in fatal motor vehicle and other accidents (Fig. 1).
A major cause of the rise in suicide was an increase in potentially overwhelming life problems, including increased divorce among parents, increased alcohol consumption and attendant family problems, increased illegitimate pregnancy and a relative decline in income for young people as compared to their parents (Figs. 2 and 3). Also contributing to the rise in suicide was a trend toward greater social isolation due to increased parental divorce and decreased marriage among young adults.
Almost half the increase in homicide was due to an increase in homicides arising from "impulsive rage" during arguments between acquaintances. This trend presumably reflects an increase in underlying tensions as well as reduced impulse control due to increased alcohol consumption per capita. The other major component of the rise in homicide was an increase in homicides committed while attempting another felony, which may be related to the general decline during the sixties in confidence in and respect for societal institutions.
The rise in fatal motor vehicle accidents was due in large part to the increase in mileage driven per capita, the increase in alcohol consumption and increased suicidal behavior. The most rapidly rising category of fatal other accidents was solid and liquid poisonings, particularly opiate poisoning.
In order to study the stresses on young people in greater depth, we obtained diaries from college students. The most commonly reported sources of tension were all related to academic work (Fig. 4). Much of the tension associated with academic work was due to the students' fear of failure in the increasing competition for the most desirable careers. Higher levels of tension were correlated with minor somatic symptoms, which may well be precursors of more serious somatic illness at older ages.
Taken together, these trends imply a deterioration in conditions of life with serious implications for the health of young adults in the U.S. |