Gowitt G T, Hanzlick R L
J Forensic Sci. 1986 Jul;31(3):1029-38.
Demographic and trend analysis of 881 consecutive suicides in blacks and whites is presented. For the years 1975 through 1984, the suicide rate was 15.1/100 000 and did not significantly change. White males were overrepresented in all age groups, had an overall suicide rate of 34.9, and showed a small but statistically significant increase in rate which was not accounted for by any specific age group. White females, in general, were represented in proportion to their prevalence in the population, and those ages 20 to 24 demonstrated an increasing suicide rate which was small. Black males were at highest risk in their twenties, showed no significant trends, and were also represented near their prevalence in the population. Black females of all ages were underrepresented, and had low suicide rates which decreased with time. No significant rate changes were noted for teenagers or the elderly. Firearms was the method of choice in all groups, although methods varied with age, race, and sex, and male children preferred hanging. Small but significant increases were noted for the prevalence of nondrug methods in females and carbon monoxide deaths in white males. Similarities and differences to larger scale studies are discussed. Suicide may have characteristics unique to given geographical areas and pervasive to all areas. The authors advocate study and publication of local data to clarify further the nature of suicide.
本文呈现了对881例连续的黑人和白人自杀案例的人口统计学及趋势分析。在1975年至1984年期间，自杀率为15.1/10万，且无显著变化。在所有年龄组中，白人男性的占比过高，总体自杀率为34.9，且显示出自杀率有小幅但具有统计学意义的上升，这并非由任何特定年龄组导致。总体而言，白人女性的占比与其在人口中的患病率成比例，20至24岁的白人女性自杀率呈小幅上升趋势。黑人男性在二十多岁时风险最高，未显示出显著趋势，其占比也接近其在人口中的患病率。各年龄段的黑人女性占比均过低，自杀率较低且随时间下降。青少年和老年人的自杀率未出现显著变化。枪支是所有群体首选的自杀方式，不过自杀方式因年龄、种族和性别而异，男性儿童更倾向于上吊。女性非药物自杀方式的患病率和白人男性一氧化碳中毒死亡人数有小幅但显著的增加。文中讨论了与大规模研究的异同。自杀可能具有特定地理区域独有的特征，且在所有区域都普遍存在。作者主张对当地数据进行研究和发表，以进一步阐明自杀的本质。
