Baseline Factors Predictive of Serious Suicidality at Follow-Up: Findings Focussing on age and Gender From a Community-Based Study

This paper compares 12-month prevalence rates for suicide ideation & suicide attempt at baseline & follow-up; identifies new cases & remissions; & assesses the capacity of baseline data to predict serious suicidality at follow-up, focusing on age & gender differences. 6666 Australians, aged 20-29, 40-49, & 60-69 years, participated. At follow-up, prevalence of suicide ideation & suicide attempt had decreased. However, over one-quarter of those reporting serious suicidality at baseline still experienced it 4 years later. Females age 20-29 never married or diagnosed with a physical illness at follow-up were at greater risk of serious suicidality. Males age 40-49 not in the labour force had increased odds of serious suicidality compared to their equivalently aged & employed counterparts. (50 refs.) JA