Relation between rates of suicide in 15-24-year-olds and per capita consumption of alcohol beverages in European countries

Suicide in adolescents and young adults is a serious medical and social problem. One factor that has been consistently implicated in suicide is alcohol use. This study examined the relation between rates of suicide in 15-24-year-olds and per capita consumption of alcohol beverages in European countries. Data on suicide rates in 15-24-year-olds and per capita consumption of alcohol beverages were obtained from the World Health Organization databases. Correlations were computed to examine relationships between suicide rates in 15-24-year-old males and females and per capita consumption of beer, wine, and spirits in the general population in 34 European countries. Suicide rates in males and females were compared using t-test. There was a negative correlation between suicide rates in 15-24-year-old males and per capita consumption of wine. There was also a trend towards a negative correlation between suicide rates in 15-24-year-old females and per capita consumption of wine. No correlations between suicide rates in 15-24-year-olds and per capita consumption of beer or spirits were found. As expected, suicide rates in males were significantly higher than in females. Lower suicide rates in 15-24-year-olds are associated with higher per capita consumption of wine in the general population. It is possible that the observed relationship is a result of a third factor affecting both suicide rates in 15-24-year-olds and consumption of wine. Further studies are necessary to clarify the relation between suicide rates in different age groups and consumption of alcohol beverages. (Author' s abstract)