Long-Term Trends, Seasonality, Weekly Distribution, and Methods of Suicide in Slovenia: a Comparison Between the Younger and Older Population

The authors compared trends, seasonality, weekly distribution, & methods of youth suicide with suicide in the older population, based on data from all 7942 completed suicides in Slovenia between 1985 & 1997. They found that a significant interaction was demonstrated between the long-term trend & age, but not with sex. Suicide rates were estimated to decrease in adults but not in youth. On the other hand sex, but not age, interacted with suicide method. Implications for research are discussed. (25 refs)