Rates of suicide & undetermined death increased rapidly in Scotland in the 1980s & 1990s. The largest increases were in men, with a marked increase in rates in younger age groups. This study tested whether there has been a significant change in trend & whether this was associated with any change in hanging rates in young men. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate annual percentage changes in age-specific rates & to identify times when the trends changed significantly. Results indicate there has been a reduction in suicide rates in men aged 15-29 years, & this is associated with a significant reduction in deaths by hanging in this age group. It is not clear if this is because of a change in method preference or an overall reduction in suicidal behaviour. (19 refs.)