Sociodemographic Predictors of Firearm Suicide Among Older White Males

Publication Date: January 1996

Publisher: The Gerontologist

Author(s): M.S. Kaplan; M.E. Adamek

Research Area:

Keywords: suicide; white males; firearms

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Compared to women, younger males, and other racial/ethnic groups in the United States, white males 65 and over have the highest suicide rates. This study examined the sociodemographic factors associated with late life firearm suicide among white males.
White males aged 65–84 residing in nonmetropolitan areas who were married, divorced, or widowed and with less than a high school education were significantly more likely to have killed themselves with a firearm than with other methods. It recommends that policy initiatives and community interventions should incorporate knowledge of those demographic subgroups most at risk for firearm suicide.