Arch Suicide Res. 2023 Jan-Mar;27(1):135-147. doi: 10.1080/13811118.2021.1974624. Epub 2022 Jan 24.
Causes of suicide are complex indicating a nation's psycho-socio-economic well-being hence this population-based study explores whether USA suicides worsened compared to nineteen Other Western Countries (OWC) being possibly related to gun ownership in the Century.
Total suicide data are drawn from the latest WHO Age-Standardised-Death-Rates per million (pm) controlled for age, sex, and population, along with suicides in the five age- bands 15-34 years to 75 + years. National gun ownership data from the international Small Arms Survey. Chi-square tests any significant difference between American and OWC suicides during the century. Spearman Rank Order correlations are used to determine comparability of suicides and gun ownership per thousand person rates over the period 2000-15.
USA had the highest gun ownership, treble the rate of the next highest country. American Total suicides rose 27%, significantly more than eight other countries ( < 0.05). The USA had significantly worse suicide outcomes for Older (75+) people than three OWC; eleven for Mature Adults 55-74; eight for Adults 34-54 and for ten countries for Young Adults 15-34. Young Adult suicides numbered 12,438, 6,702 gun-related in 2015, exceeding recent USA military losses. Only Young Adult suicides positively correlated with gun ownership (<0.025).
The key finding is whilst most countries reduced suicides American rates rose substantially this century, raising questions about US society. Importantly the easy access to firearms in the USA makes Young Adult suicide more likely when facing psycho-social stress. This study exposes the vulnerability of distressed young American adults in a permissive gun culture, with its sequel, life-long grieving parents.HighlightsDuring 21st Century USA suicides rose substantially more than other Western nations.Only USA suicides rose >20% amongst Total suicides and in those aged 15-to-74years.USA Young Adult suicides 150,099 in 21st century, 12,438 in 2015, 6,702 were gun-related.
自杀的原因很复杂，反映了一个国家的心理-社会-经济福利状况。因此，这项基于人群的研究探讨了与 20 世纪的枪支拥有情况有关的美国自杀率是否比其他 19 个西方国家（OWC）更糟。
从最新的世卫组织按年龄标准化死亡率每百万人（pm）中提取总自杀数据，按年龄、性别和人口进行控制，并提取 15-34 岁至 75 岁以上五个年龄组的自杀数据。国际小型武器调查的国家枪支拥有数据。卡方检验 20 世纪期间美国和 OWC 自杀率之间是否存在显著差异。斯皮尔曼等级相关用于确定 2000-15 年期间每千人的自杀率和枪支拥有率的可比性。
美国拥有枪支的比例最高，是下一个最高国家的三倍。美国的总自杀人数上升了 27%，明显高于其他八个国家（<0.05）。美国老年人（75 岁以上）的自杀结果明显比三个 OWC 国家更糟；11 个成熟成年人（55-74 岁）；8 个成年人（34-54 岁）和 10 个年轻人（15-34 岁）。2015 年，15-34 岁的年轻人自杀人数为 12438 人，其中 6702 人是与枪支有关的自杀，超过了美国最近的军事损失。只有年轻人的自杀人数与枪支拥有率呈正相关（<0.025）。
主要发现是，尽管大多数国家的自杀率都有所下降，但本世纪美国的自杀率却大幅上升，这引发了人们对美国社会的质疑。重要的是，美国容易获得枪支，这使得年轻人在面临心理-社会压力时更容易自杀。这项研究暴露了美国年轻成年人在放任的枪支文化中的脆弱性，以及随之而来的终身悲痛的父母。
在 21 世纪，美国的自杀率大幅上升，明显高于其他西方国家。
在总自杀人数和 15-74 岁人群中，只有美国的自杀率上升超过 20%。
21 世纪，美国 15-34 岁的年轻人自杀人数为 150099 人，2015 年为 12438 人，其中 6702 人是与枪支有关的自杀。
