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21/01/2005
Research links intellect to suicide risk
A study published in the British Medical Journal has linked poor intelligence test scores in teenage boys with a risk of suicide in men.
Researchers analysed the results of four intelligence tests, which were performed by 987,308 Swedish men at conscription into the military. In the long-term syudy, the men were subsequently monitored for up to 26 years and any incidences of suicide recorded.
The researchers found that the better performance on the tests was associated with a reduced risk of suicide. The strongest associations were with the logic test score, where the risk of suicide was three times higher in the lowest, compared with the highest scores.
Researchers believe that the finding is unlikely to be mere coincidence, because of the strength of the link and the large sample group used. However, few previous studies have assessed the association of measures of intelligence with suicide and results have often conflicted.
The researchers have said that one possible explanation of the results could be influences on brain development in childhood, which could also increase an individual's susceptibility to mental illness and, hence, suicide. It was also suggested that the results might also be due to an individual's ability to solve problems in times of crisis or maladjustment in childhood.
(KMcA/SP)
Researchers analysed the results of four intelligence tests, which were performed by 987,308 Swedish men at conscription into the military. In the long-term syudy, the men were subsequently monitored for up to 26 years and any incidences of suicide recorded.
The researchers found that the better performance on the tests was associated with a reduced risk of suicide. The strongest associations were with the logic test score, where the risk of suicide was three times higher in the lowest, compared with the highest scores.
Researchers believe that the finding is unlikely to be mere coincidence, because of the strength of the link and the large sample group used. However, few previous studies have assessed the association of measures of intelligence with suicide and results have often conflicted.
The researchers have said that one possible explanation of the results could be influences on brain development in childhood, which could also increase an individual's susceptibility to mental illness and, hence, suicide. It was also suggested that the results might also be due to an individual's ability to solve problems in times of crisis or maladjustment in childhood.
(KMcA/SP)
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The majority of people back the notion of assisted suicide, according to research from Bangor University. The university found two thirds of over 62,000 people surveyed said they agreed with assisted suicide. The report also found that support was around the same among people with terminal illnesses as for the general public.
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13 April 2006
Suicide rate falls to new low
A report on the suicide rate for young men in England has revealed that the rate is continuing to fall. The report revealed that the suicide rate in the three-year period from 2002 to 2004 was 8.56 deaths per 100,000 of the population. This is a reduction of 6.6% from the 1995 to 1997 figure of 9.2 deaths per 100,000.
Suicide rate falls to new low
A report on the suicide rate for young men in England has revealed that the rate is continuing to fall. The report revealed that the suicide rate in the three-year period from 2002 to 2004 was 8.56 deaths per 100,000 of the population. This is a reduction of 6.6% from the 1995 to 1997 figure of 9.2 deaths per 100,000.
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