SEX DIFFERENTIAL FOR SUICIDE AMONG AUSTRIAN AGE COHORTS

The suicide mortality data in Austria were studied over a period of fo ur decades of continuous reporting. The data were studied for age, per iod and cohort effects. For the period 1951 to 1990 suicides among eig ht birth cohorts, born between 1932 and 1975, show a marked sex differ ential in time trends. Up to 1985, the rates increase in a constant ma nner for males in all age groups, in contrast to females. Results obta ined using the Poisson regression models demonstrate a 35% (incidence rate ratio (IRR), 1.35%; 95% CI, 1.27-1.45) increased risk for male co horts born later compared with those born earlier. The risk for later- born females was not increased (IRR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.91-1.17). Explana tions such as improved living conditions for Austrian women remain ten tative, however, as age, period and cohort effects cannot be separated as independent variables in the suicide mortality data available in A ustria.