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Childhood socioeconomic status and suicide mortality in early adulthood among Norwegian men and women. A prospective study of Norwegians born between 1955 and 1965 followed for suicide from 1990 to 2001

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  • Strand, B.H.
  • Kunst, Anton

Abstract

Even though the causes of suicide may be rooted in childhood, it is unknown how socioeconomic position (SEP) in childhood is related to suicide in adulthood. We describe the association between childhood SEP and suicide mortality in adulthood in Norway using registry data on 613Â 807 Norwegians born in 1955-1965. Data on 1 013 suicide deaths between 1990 and 2001 were linked to data on SEP indicators, using Cox regression. Suicide mortality was higher among women with high childhood SEP than among women with low childhood SEP. This association was explained in part by family situation in adulthood, but not by adult SEP. For males, after adjustment for adult SEP, we observed a similar but weaker association between suicide and childhood SEP. We discuss several mechanisms which may explain the direct positive association of childhood SEP with suicide mortality in adulthood, especially among females. These are downward mobility, not meeting high demands set by highly educated parents, psychological distress, mental disorder, gender differences and social networks and norms.

Suggested Citation

  • Strand, B.H. & Kunst, Anton, 2006. "Childhood socioeconomic status and suicide mortality in early adulthood among Norwegian men and women. A prospective study of Norwegians born between 1955 and 1965 followed for suicide from 1990 to 20," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(11), pages 2825-2834, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:63:y:2006:i:11:p:2825-2834
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    1. Richardson, Cara & Robb, Kathryn A. & O'Connor, Rory C., 2021. "A systematic review of suicidal behaviour in men: A narrative synthesis of risk factors," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    2. Mäki, Netta & Martikainen, Pekka, 2009. "The role of socioeconomic indicators on non-alcohol and alcohol-associated suicide mortality among women in Finland. A register-based follow-up study of 12 million person-years," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(12), pages 2161-2169, June.
    3. Hannelore De Grande & Hadewijch Vandenheede & Patrick Deboosere, 2015. "Educational Inequalities in the Transition to Adulthood in Belgium: The Impact of Intergenerational Mobility on Young-Adult Mortality in 2001-2009," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(12), pages 1-18, December.
    4. Bernburg, Jon Gunnar & Thorlindsson, Thorolfur & Sigfusdottir, Inga D., 2009. "The spreading of suicidal behavior: The contextual effect of community household poverty on adolescent suicidal behavior and the mediating role of suicide suggestion," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(2), pages 380-389, January.
    5. Rojas, Yerko & Stenberg, Sten-Åke, 2010. "Early life circumstances and male suicide - A 30-year follow-up of a Stockholm cohort born in 1953," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(3), pages 420-427, February.
    6. Noghanibehambari, Hamid & Engelman, Michal, 2022. "Social insurance programs and later-life mortality: Evidence from new deal relief spending," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).

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