Age-Related Variation in Recent Life Events Preceding Suicide

1,022 suicide victims age 20 & older were studied. Age-related patterns of variation of life-events were found. Events such as serious family arguments, unemployment & residence change were more common among younger suicides. Somatic illness & retirement were more common among older victims. The mean number of life events tended to decline gradually with age. Events among younger victims were possibly related to their behavior. Violent methods were not associated with life events.