Economic Correlates of Suicide in the United States (1929-1992): a Time Series Analysis

A time series analysis of the relationship between suicide rates for several demographic groups & economic variables in the United States for the period 1929 to 1992 was examined. When unemployment precedes suicide by one year, a strong relationship between unemployment & suicide was found for Whites & males. There was also an association between unemployment & suicide for the age group 45-64 years. There were no relationships found between suicide & the Gross National Product nor suicide & the Consumer Price Index. (37 refs)