Research on controlling suicide: Methodological issues

Abstract

Populations vary in the structured opportunities that exist for suicide. The extent of gun ownership and the availability of toxic gas are two of the key facilitators of suicide (e.g., Clarke & Lester, 1989; Gundlach, 1990; Lester, 1990a. 1992a. 1996; Rich et al., 1990). For example, populations valuing gun ownership would be expected to have higher gun suicide rates, given that the former creates “lethal opportunities” for suicide by guns (e.g., Lester, 1996). For example, in the U.S. during 1953-1978 firearm suicide increased from 4.9 to 7.1 per 100,OOO population as guns became more available (Boyd, 1983). while non gun suicide fell from 5.9 to 5.4 per 100,000.