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Relative
Age Classification of Youth
Suicides for Each Grade
One Entry Cutoff Date |
|
Young |
Old |
| Mar 1 |
172 |
152 |
| Jan 1 |
117 |
92 |
| Sept 1 |
9 |
5 |
| Nov 1 |
7 |
2 |
| Oct 1 |
6 |
1 |
| Dec 1 |
1 |
0 |
| Total |
312 |
252 |
|
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A theoretical explanation for relative age
includes the belief that its effects are due, in the end, to negative
self-appraisal and diminished self-confidence. These are related to
depression and hopelessness, respectively, thought by many to be the
essential components of completed suicide. Relative age effects among
young children, then, might well be expected to be associated with
suicide later in life.
The accompanying Table shows the distribution of youth suicides in
Alberta from 1979-92 according to age at entering grade one (data are
presented separately for each grade one entry cutoff date used in the
various school districts in the Province). The group of children who
were younger
entering grade one showed the higher rates in each case.
These data
indicate that bestowing advantage/disadvantage in a competitive task,
albeit inadvertently, can affect emotional development and suicidal
behaviour.
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