Economic Correlates of Suicide in the United States (1929–1992): A Time Series Analysis

Abstract

A time series analysis of the relationship between suicide rates for several demographic groups and economic variables (unemployment, Gross National Product, and Consumer Price Index) in the United States for the period 1929 to 1992 was examined. When unemployment precedes suicide by one year, a modest relationship between unemployment and suicide was found for Whites and both males and females. The association was strongest for males. There was also an association between unemployment and suicide for the age group 45–64 years. There were no relationships found between suicide and the Gross National Product nor suicide and the Consumer Price Index.