Age Differences in the Life Events Prior to Attempted and Completed Suicide

The authors sought to describe the life events & chronic strains in the year prior to attempted & completed suicide. Psychological autopsy data collected since 1987 was used for this presentation (n=76 suicide victims & n=72 suicide attempters). Some of the results indicate: 1) attempters & completers experience a similar pattern of life events in the year prior to death; & 2) interpersonal conflicts were frequently reported in younger age groups, among the elderly loss was a common event.