Age-specific characteristics of serious suicide attempters in China.

Characteristics of four age groups of patients with medically serious suicide attempts from nine general hospitals in China (N = 617) were compared. There were no significant age-group differences by residence (rural vs. urban), method of attempt, proportion with prior attempts, or level of family functioning. Attempters < or = 20 years of age were less likely to use alcohol at the time of the attempt. Attempters age 20-44 years had less regular contact with family members but were more likely to make the attempt in the presence of someone else. And attempters > or = 45 years were more likely to have high suicidal intent, lower quality of life, mood disorders, and substance abuse disorders. These results highlight the need for age-specific intervention programs for suicide attempters.