Does Marital Status Predict the Odds of Suicidal Death in Taiwan? A Seven-Year Population-Based Study

Using nationwide, 7-year population-based data for 1997-2003, the authors examined marital status to see if it predicted suicide among the ethnic Chinese population of Taiwan. Using cause of death data, with a case-control design, two groups – 17,850 adult suicides & 71,400 adult deaths other than suicide – were studied. Using multiple logistic regression analysis including age-marital status interaction, adjusted estimates show divorced status to be the most detrimental for suicide propensity, with males showing stronger effect size. Females never married, aged below 35 & 65 & older, & widowed 65 & older had lower suicide odds. (28 refs.)