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Living Circumstances of Suicide Mortality in a South African City: An Ecological Study of Differences Across Race Groups and Sexes
Author(s) -
Burrows Stephanie,
Laflamme Lucie
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
suicide and life‐threatening behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.544
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1943-278X
pISSN - 0363-0234
DOI - 10.1521/suli.2005.35.5.592
Subject(s) - race (biology) , socioeconomic status , demography , suicide prevention , poison control , injury prevention , human factors and ergonomics , occupational safety and health , gerontology , ecological study , medicine , geography , environmental health , population , sociology , pathology , gender studies
In this study the importance of living area circumstances for suicide mortality was explored. Suicide mortality was assessed across race and sex groups in a South African city and the influence of area‐based compositional and sociophysical characteristics on suicide risk was considered. Suicide mortality rates are highest among Whites, in particular White males. Main—and independent—dimensions of the living circumstances of residential areas (i.e., socioeconomic circumstances, economic need, and matrimony) influence age‐adjusted suicide rates for both sexes but minimally so for race groups. Less favorable clusters of circumstances have a protective effect.