The Gender gap in Suicide Rates: an Analysis of Twenty Developed Countries, 1955-1994

Although analysis of the gender difference in suicide rates has traditionally examined the ratio of male to female rates, the authors analyze the difference between the male & female suicide rates. They examine variation in this measure of gender gap in suicide rates in 20 developed countries from 1955 through 1994. They also examine a Durkheimian social integration model along with data measuring the cultural disapproval of suicide. Findings are discussed. (54 refs)