Precursors of female suicide in North Carolina from OCME data, 1989–93 (n=882)
| Percentage by age group | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precursor | 15–24 (n=104) | 25–34 (n=169) | 35–44 (n=180) | 45–54 (n=159) | 55–64 (n=131) | 65–74 (n=92) | 75+ (n=35) | Total (n=870*) |
| *12 missing. NA, not available. | ||||||||
| History of mental problems | ||||||||
| Yes | 46.2 | 58.0 | 62.8 | 72.3 | 64.9 | 69.6 | 51.4 | 62.2 |
| No/unknown/missing | 53.8 | 42.0 | 37.2 | 27.7 | 35.1 | 30.4 | 48.6 | 37.8 |
| Chronic disease or disability | ||||||||
| Yes | 7.7 | 10.7 | 17.2 | 30.8 | 43.9 | 45.7 | 77.1 | 26.7 |
| No/unknown/missing | 92.3 | 89.3 | 82.8 | 69.2 | 56.1 | 54.3 | 22.9 | 73.3 |
| Prior suicide attempt or ideation | ||||||||
| Yes | 29.8 | 36.7 | 40.6 | 30.2 | 31.3 | 35.9 | 31.4 | 34.4 |
| No/unknown/missing | 70.2 | 63.3 | 59.4 | 69.8 | 68.7 | 64.1 | 68.6 | 65.6 |
| History of alcohol problems | ||||||||
| Yes | 8.7 | 10.1 | 12.2 | 15.1 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 0.0 | 9.9 |
| No/unknown/missing | 91.3 | 89.9 | 87.8 | 84.9 | 93.9 | 93.5 | 100.0 | 90.1 |
| Addiction history or drug use | ||||||||
| Yes | 17.3 | 16.0 | 8.3 | 10.1 | 5.3 | 9.8 | 8.6 | 10.9 |
| No/unknown/missing | 82.7 | 84.0 | 91.7 | 89.9 | 94.7 | 90.2 | 91.4 | 89.1 |
| History of domestic abuse | ||||||||
| Yes | 4.8 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 3.8 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.5 |
| No/unknown/missing | 95.2 | 95.3 | 95.5 | 96.2 | 98.5 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 96.5 |
| Involved in interpersonal conflict | ||||||||
| Yes | 33.6 | 24.3 | 21.1 | 17.6 | 6.9 | 2.2 | 2.9 | 17.7 |
| No/unknown/missing | 66.4 | 76.7 | 78.9 | 82.4 | 93.1 | 97.8 | 97.1 | 82.3 |
| Financial problems | ||||||||
| Yes | 3.9 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 0.0 | 2.5 |
| No/unknown/missing | 96.1 | 97.6 | 97.8 | 98.1 | 96.1 | 97.8 | 100.0 | 97.5 |
| Intimate relationship ending/recently ended | ||||||||
| Yes | 8.6 | 10.7 | 7.8 | 5.8 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.9 |
| No/unknown/missing | 91.4 | 89.3 | 92.2 | 94.2 | 99.2 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 94.1 |
| Job loss/unemployment/recently retired | ||||||||
| Yes | 1.0 | 5.3 | 3.9 | 2.5 | 3.9 | 8.7 | 11.4 | 4.4 |
| No/unknown/missing | 99.0 | 94.7 | 96.1 | 97.5 | 96.1 | 91.3 | 88.6 | 95.6 |
| History of suicide in family/friends | ||||||||
| Yes | 3.9 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 3.9 | 0.0 | 2.9 | 1.9 |
| No/unknown/missing | 93.1 | 99.4 | 97.8 | 99.4 | 96.1 | 100.0 | 97.1 | 98.1 |
| Diagnosis or concern regarding fatal disease | ||||||||
| Yes | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 3.3 | 5.7 | 1.0 |
| No/unknown/missing | 100.0 | 100.0 | 99.4 | 98.1 | 100.0 | 97.7 | 94.3 | 99.0 |
| Problems at school (age ≤24 years) | ||||||||
| Yes | 1.0 | NA | NA | NA | NA | N.A | NA | NA |
| No/unknown/missing | 99.0 | |||||||
| History of child abuse | ||||||||
| Yes | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 |
| No/unknown/missing | 99.0 | 100.0 | 99.4 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 99.8 |
| Under job related stress | ||||||||
| Yes | 0.0 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
| No/unknown/missing | 100.0 | 98.2 | 96.1 | 96.8 | 98.4 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 98.0 |
| Victim recently arrested | ||||||||
| Yes | 1.9 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.5 |
| No/unknown/missing | 98.1 | 97.6 | 97.2 | 99.4 | 99.2 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 98.5 |