Statistical analyses were used to examine associations between youth suicide rates in 11-21 mainly Western, developed nations & 32 socio-economic & cultural variables. The hypothesis was that suicide rates would be correlated with various cultural measures of social attachment & integration. The study found a positive correlation between male youth suicide rates & subjective measures of health, optimism, & several indices of individualism. Correlations between female youth suicide & individualism were negatively correlated with older peopleÕs sense of parental duty. (LC) (63 refs)