Citation

Moore F, Taylor S, Beaumont J, Gibson R, Starkey C. PLoS One 2018; 13(8): e0202487.

Affiliation

School of Social Sciences, Psychology, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Public Library of Science)

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0202487

PMID

30138465

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To test for social structural effects on the gender paradox in suicidal behaviour.

METHODS: We analyzed newspaper reports of completed and attempted suicides in the Scottish city of Dundee during the mass movement of women into the paid labour force in the 19th and early 20th Centuries. We calculated rates of suicides per 100,000 of the male and female populations.

RESULTS: We found that the female suicide rate dropped during this time period, whereas there was only a significant reduction in attempted suicide amongst men.

CONCLUSIONS: Our understanding, and action to prevent, suicide in men and women must take place in the context of our gendered social world.

Language: en