Geophysical Variables and Behavior: LI. Temporal Variation of Suicide in Teens and Young Adults

Young adults aged 15 to 24 yr. showed a significant variation over the days of week, with a peak on Sunday (X,2 = 18.12, p < .01), whereas those over 35 yr. of age showed a peak on Mondays (xG2 = 44.27, p < ,001). Young adults showed no variation over the months of the year (X,,2 = 12.57) whereas those over 35 yr. of age showed a peak in April and May (x,,' = 53.09, p < .001). Young adults had no fewer suicides on national holidays than expected (x,2 = 0.78) whereas those over 35 yr. of age had fewer than expected (x,* = 6.88, p < .01). The present analysis then showed that young adults may have a different temporal distribution for suicide than older adults.