Suicide and Gender in the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Chinese in the US

The rates of suicide for men & women were compared for the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, & Asian groups in the USA. The rates for women in rural areas of China were the highest, followed by urban areas in China, Hong Kong, & Taiwan. The lowest rates were among American Asians. For males, the highest rates were in rural China, followed by Hong Kong, Taiwan, & Asians in the USA. The lowest rates among males were in urban China. The high rate among women in rural China fits with observations on their stressful life circumstances. For these women, local belief systems, life conditions, & the lack of social & economic opportunities increase the risk of suicide in the face of intolerable shame & pain. (39 refs.)