Psychosocial factors vary across the life span

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In deaths that involved psychosocial factors, the patterns varied by age (Figure 10.3).

Figure 10.3 Most common psychosocial factors by age group and sex, 2022

For males, the most common psychosocial factors mentioned were issues surrounding intimate partners (for ages 15-54), individual health status (for ages 55-74), and care needs (for ages 75-94). For females, the most common psychosocial factors mentioned were personal history of self-harm (for ages 15-44), support systems (for ages 45-74) and care needs (for ages 75-94).

Notes 

  1. Deaths registered in 2022 are based on the preliminary version and are subject to further revision by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
  2. Each death can involve one or more psychosocial factors. As a result, the sum of the per cent involvement by a cause type can be greater than 100.
  3. Due to the sensitivity surrounding psychosocial factors, numbers less than 10 are not published.

Source: AIHW National Mortality Database; Table S10.3.

Personal history of self-harm was one of the most commonly mentioned factors for females across all age groups. For males it was more common in the younger (15‒44) and older (65‒74) age groups.

Issues with intimate partners was the most mentioned psychosocial factor for males aged 15‒54.

Factors relating to support systems were mentioned in all age groups, with it being the most common for females aged 45‒74.

Factors relating to individual health status was commonly mentioned across all age groups from age 15 to 94 for females, and from age 55 to 94 for males. 

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