The Association Between Relative Deprivation, Depression, and Youth Suicide: Evidence From a Psychological Autopsy Study.

This article investigates the relationship between relative deprivation—the perception of disadvantage compared to others in the same rural community—and suicide risk among young people aged 15–34 in rural China. Using data from a large psychological autopsy study involving 392 suicide cases and 416 living controls across three provinces, the study finds that individuals experiencing high relative deprivation have a significantly increased risk of suicide, with depression partially mediating this effect. The research highlights that depression severity, measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, substantially raises suicide risk, and that factors such as gender and education also influence suicide outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of addressing socioeconomic inequalities and mental health in suicide prevention efforts within rural Chinese populations.