Am J Psychiatry 1987; 144:215-219
Copyright © 1987 by American Psychiatric Association
Suicide and homicide in the United States: an epidemiologic study of violent death, population changes, and the potential for prediction
PC Holinger, D Offer and E Ostrov
The authors found significant positive correlations between the suicide and
homicide rates for 15-24-year-olds and the proportion of 15-24-year- olds
in the U.S. population from 1933 to 1982. Significant negative correlations
were found for most adult age groups (35-64 years). Since future numbers of
adolescents and adults can be estimated on the basis of current population
data for children and preadolescents, the epidemiologic patterns for
suicide and homicide may be predictable for certain age groups. However,
methodologic problems are inherent in using national mortality and
population data, and many years are necessary to evaluate such
epidemiologic propositions.
