Social Capital and Suicide in 11 European Countries: an Ecological Analysis

An ecological investigation was performed of the relationship of social trust, as one component of social capital, & national suicide rates in 11 European countries. There was an inverse relationship between social trust & national suicide rates, after controlling for gender, age, marriage rates, standardised income, & reported sadness. Social capital may have a protective effect against suicide at the national level. Multi-level analysis, taking into account both group- & individual-level variables, would help clarify this relationship & guide appropriate interventions at both levels. (18 refs.) JA