Changes in the Irish Suicide Rate (IN: Current Research on Suicide and Parasuicide, ed. by S D Platt and N. Kreitman)

Ireland had a low suicide rate for some time; however, studies discovered coroners were underreporting suicides. Between 1970 & 1985, the Irish rate has increased sixfold, & the authors of this chapter find this is not just due to more accurate reporting of suicides. They believe this is a result of social disintegration, & they find significant associations between suicide & crime rates, levels of alcoholism, illegitimacy rates, divorce rates, & unemployment. (VM)