Abstract

The study of suicide remains predominantly psychocentric and individualistic, often overlooking social dimensions. This thesis presents a sociological analysis of suicide as a crucial complement to individualistic approaches. Male and female suicide rates are analysed for the period spanning 1950 to 2019, by Canadian province, with a particular focus on youth suicide. A descriptive analysis highlights the simultaneous emergence of youth suicide across all provinces as of the 1960s. While rates for both sexes rose in unison, female youth suicide rates continued to rise through to 2019, whereas rates for males generally plateaued at a new ‘normal’. Previously nearly non-existent, youth suicide has since matched or exceeded rates in traditionally higher-risk age groups.
An age, period, and cohort (APC) analysis was subsequently conducted to model temporal trends using the APC-Interaction model. The findings indicate notable estimated cohort effects, with increased suicide risks for males born between 1960-1974 and females born after 1985. These results underscore the need for a sociological perspective in suicidology, demonstrating how social forces shape suicide trends. Without a sociological perspective, suicide is framed as almost exclusively an individual act, overlooking broader socio-historical influences. By mapping youth suicide trends across all Canadian provinces over seven decades, this study addresses a critical gap in the literature.