Age, Period of Death and Birth Cohort Effects on Suicide Mortality in Italy, 1955-1979

Trends in death rates from all suicides & specific methods of suicide in Italy over the period 1955-79 were analysed on the basis of age-specific & age-standardized rates, & through a log-linear Poisson model to isolate the effects of age, birth cohort & calendar period. Death statistics were obtained from the Central Institute of Statistics, the Dept. of Deography, & Univ. of Rome. A large decrease in suicide for both sexes was evident in the late 1950’s & early 1960’s. Increases noted by 1970.