The Impact of Early Life Adversity on Suicide Rates
Author Information
Author(s): Ajit Shah, Ritesh Bhandarkar
Primary Institution: University of Central Lancashire
Hypothesis
Does adversity early in life affect general population suicide rates?
Conclusion
Income inequality may lead to increased child mortality rates and reduced life expectancy, which could lower the risk of suicide in adulthood.
Supporting Evidence
- General population suicide rates were negatively correlated with measures of early life adversity.
- The Gini coefficient was the only independent predictor of general population suicide rates.
- Countries with greater adversity early in life may have lower suicide rates due to selective survival.
Takeaway
If kids have a tough start in life, it might actually help some of them live longer and be less likely to commit suicide when they grow up.
Methodology
The study examined the relationship between general population suicide rates and four proxy measures of early life adversity using data from WHO and UNDP.
Potential Biases
Potential under-reporting of suicides in low-income countries and unclear validity of socio-economic data.
Limitations
Data on suicide rates may not be available from all countries, and the validity of this data is unclear due to varying legal criteria and cultural factors.
Participant Demographics
Data included general population suicide rates across various countries.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P=0.031 for males, P=0.009 for females
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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