Understanding the Unique Characteristics of Suicide in China: National Psychological Autopsy Study

The characteristics of suicides in the 4 main demographic groups: urban males, urban females, rural males, & rural females, were compared to help clarify the demographic pattern of suicides in China. A detailed psychological autopsy survey instrument was independently administered to the significant others of 895 suicide victims from 23 geographically representative locations from around the country. Compared to the other groups, young rural females had the highest rate of pesticide ingestion, the lowest prevalence of mental illness, & the highest acute stress from precipiating life events just prior to the suicide. (25 refs.)