Social, economic, violence, political, and gun access predictors of suicide and gun suicide were examined via sociological autopsy. The model predicting suicide rates overall had the best results, χ(2) (9, N=50)=5.279 (CMIN, the goodness of fit statistic that represents the minimum discrepancy between the unrestricted sample covariance matrix and the restricted covariance matrix) p=.809, [the goodness of fit statistic that represents the minimum discrepancy between the unrestricted sample covariance matrix and the restricted covariance matrix] indicating an excellent fit of the data and theoretical model. The model explained 76% of the variance in state suicide rates and was a significantly better predictor than one could expect by chance, F(6,43)=22.889, p<.001). All path coefficients were significant predictors of suicide with the exception of violence climate, which was not included. This study contributes to the theoretical knowledge by adding a comprehensive framework of analysis and model useful for prevention.
This chapter focuses on suicide among older adults. Adults age 65 and over have the highest suicide rate of any age group in the United States. Suicide among older adults is a complex phenomenon, with many risk factors and seemingly few protective factors. A variety of risk factors, including age, gender, race, physical and mental health, multiple losses (e.g. retirement, widowhood, functional ability), and access to lethal means, have been associated with increased suicide risk in late life. Older men have a suicide rate about 5.5 times that of older women. Social workers need to be aware of the risk factors for suicide among older adults: age, race, gender, physical and mental health, cumulative loss, and access to lethal means. They need a better understanding of how multiple risk factors interact to increase the suicide risk among this population.
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