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Suicide in Trinidad and Tobago: Associations With Measures of Social Distress

Author

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  • Gerard A. Hutchinson

    (The Maudsley Hospital, London, UK and The Commonwealth Caribbean Medical Research Council, Trinidad and Tobago, MRC Social Psychiatry Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, 12 Windsor Walk, London SE5 8BB, UK)

  • Donald T. Simeon

    (The Maudsley Hospital, London, UK and The Commonwealth Caribbean Medical Research Council, Trinidad and Tobago)

Abstract

Using national statistics for the period 1973-1992, associations were examined between suicide rates and measures of social distress in Trinidad and Tobago. The latter included unemployment, serious crimes, emigration rates and admissions to the country's psychiatric hospital. There was a 319% increase in male suicide rates, from 4.96/100,000 in 1978 to 20.76/100,000 in 1992. Although there were fluctuations in the rate for females, it remained below 8/100,000. Over the 15-year period examined, there was a 51 % increase in serious crime while male and female unemployment increased by 89% and 33% respectively. There was a 63% fall in the rate of permanent emigration while male and female admissions to the psychiatric hospital fell by 28% and 19% respectively. There were significant positive associa tions between male suicide and serious crimes as well as with male and female unemployment (p

Suggested Citation

  • Gerard A. Hutchinson & Donald T. Simeon, 1997. "Suicide in Trinidad and Tobago: Associations With Measures of Social Distress," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 43(4), pages 269-275, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:43:y:1997:i:4:p:269-275
    DOI: 10.1177/002076409704300404
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Platt, Stephen, 1984. "Unemployment and suicidal behaviour: A review of the literature," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 19(2), pages 93-115, January.
    2. Warr, Peter & Jackson, Paul, 1987. "Adapting to the unemployed role: A longitudinal investigation," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 25(11), pages 1219-1224, January.
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