Young Female Violent Death Trends in the General Population during the Vietnam Era

Abstract

Five birth cohorts of young women who became age 20 before, during, and after the Vietnam War were selected for this study of motor vehicle accident, suicide, and homicide between ages 13 and 30. Suicide and homicide increased strongly in succeeding years (1953–1986). Motor vehicle accident rates were affected primarily by age. But age, birth cohort membership, and age x cohort interaction significantly affected suicide and homicide rates, with the 19–24‐year‐old age range most greatly affected. The correlation between suicide and homicide risk (r = .92) was similar to that for young males (r = .95) and suggested a common source of pathogenesis for both genders.