Suicide in the United States, 1951-1988: constant age-period-cohort rates in 40- to 44-year-old men.

Age-specific suicide rates in the United States between 1951 and 1988 were shown in cohort, cross-sectional, and age group formats. Despite considerable variation among women and younger and older men, suicide rates among 40- to 44-year-old men have remained stable. Since suicide is strongly influenced by psychosocial stressors, the constant suicide rates in middle-aged men suggest a consistency in the stress experienced by this population subgroup.