SUICIDE IN PROFESSIONALS: A STUDY OF MALE AND FEMALE PSYCHOLOGISTS12

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A list of psychologists who died in the decade 1960–1969 was obtained from the American Psychological Association. Attempts to locate death certificates for each decedent were successful for 80% of the listed deaths. Secondary information about cause of death was obtained for another 10%. The 16 suicides confirmed by death certificate in female psychologists under the age of 65 represent almost three times the expected number, 5.7. In contrast, the number of suicides in males, 34; was less than the expected number, 46.1. Losses in ascertainment may contribute to the apparent deficit in males. The excess of suicide in females was consonant with the results of a similar study carried out in physicians. Marginality, role conflict, and ambivalence about the achievement of success were discussed as possible factors contributing to suicide in female professionals. The need for further studies of the relations between occupation, including professional activity, and morbidity and mortality patterns in females was suggested.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: