A theoretical model of adolescent suicide and some evidence from US data

Abstract

Suicide rates for adolescents have doubled since 1970 and tripled since 1960, even as rates for other age groups have declined. Using a Becker-type model of household production and consumption, we demonstrate conditions under which utility maximizing parents allocate time away from time-intensive commodities like children's well-being, and towards market work and less time-intensive consumption commodities. This reallocation of time towards market work has mixed effects on children' mental health: higher money income tends to improve family and children's well-being, but the loss of parental time has an opposite effect on children's mental health and increases the risk of adolescent suicide. Empirical evidence using state panel regressions of adolescent suicide rates on economic, social and demographic variables is consistent with predictions based on our model; our results indicate that the favorable effect of higher incomes has more than offset the negative effect of lost parental time.

A study on the socio-economic determinants of suicide: Evidence from 13 European OECD countries

“…The inclusion of divorce rates is motivated by Burr et al (1994), Mäkinen (1997), and Chen, Choi, and Sawada (2010), who argue that a high level of divorce rates increases suicide rates. The consideration in fertility rates is based on Mäkinen (1997), Mathur and Freeman (2002), and Chen, Choi, and Sawada (2010). However, the fertility effect on suicide rates is empirically controversial.…”

“…Finally, to control personal factors, we consider per capita alcoholic consumption, following Mathur and Freeman (2002) and Chen, Choi, and Sawada (2010). Compared to socio-economic factors, such as economic condition and family structure, addiction to alcohol is more a personal behavior.…”

Les taux de suicide des jeunes hommes québécois : facteurs de risques et de protection

“…Dans quatre études, des associations significatives entre les taux de chômage et de suicide ont été signalées, mais de façon générale la part de la variance expliquée est très faible (MORRELL et al, 1993 ;GUNNELL et al, 1999 ;MATHUR et FREEMAN, 2002 ;BLAKELY et al, 2003). Deux études rapportent des résultats mixtes (BOOR, 1980 ;PRITCHARD, 1992), des corrélations positives et significatives entre les taux de chômage et de suicide sont détectées dans environ la moitié des pays pour lesquels des calculs ont été réalisés.…”

“…On pourrait croire que les études ayant intégré plusieurs facteurs de risque dans leur modèle de régression pourraient mieux départager les résultats, ce qui n'est pas le cas. Deux d'entre elles concluent à une association positive entre les taux de chômage et le suicide (MATHUR et FREEMAN, 2002 ;BLAKELY et al, 2003) tandis que trois études ne rapportent pas d'association (ECKERSLEY et DEAR, 2002 ;GUNNELL et al, 2003). TROVATO (1992) trouve même une association négative et suggère que les taux de chômage élevés, touchant particuliè-rement les jeunes, pourraient resserrer les liens avec les amis et la famille et que le système d'assurance-chômage canadien pourrait amoindrir l'impact économique d'être sans emploi.…”

Differential association of socioeconomic status in ethnic and age-defined suicides

“…Additionally, low SES is associated with poor response to antidepressant treatment and greater likelihood of reporting suicidal ideation among the elderly (Cohen et al, 2006). Conversely, higher SES could increase suicide risk among adolescents as parental time is directed toward economic activities rather than childcare (Mathur and Freeman, 2002). Socioeconomic status may also differentially affect ethnic groups, with suicide rates among African Americans being less sensitive to changes in income than that of whites (Steenland et al, 2003).…”