The Validity of Proxy-Based Data in Suicide Research: a Study of Patients 50 Years of age & Older who Attempted Suicide. II. Life Events, Social Support & Suicidal Behavior

The authors sought to investigate the validity of proxy reports of stresful life events, social suport & suicidal behavior among individuals who attempted suicide. Results were found to support proxy-based data on suicidal behavior & certain aspects of social support & stressful life events in research of suicidal behavior in this age group, with potential implications for interpreting postmortem research of completed suicide. (52 refs)