Swedish scientists have shown that young men who score well in intelligence tests are less likely to commit suicide, according to a Reuters report.

Researchers from Sweden's Karolinska Institute analysed test scores for 987,308 armed forced recruits and then cross-referenced the data with those who subsequently commited suicide over 26 years - a total of almost 3,000. They found that those wth the lowest scores were three times more likely to take their own lives.

Institute associate professor, Finn Rasmussen, reported in the British Medical Journal: "There is a strong inverse association between intelligence test scores and suicide. Better performance on the tests was associated with a reduced risk of suicide."

The scientists speculate that poor test scores could be associated with depression and schizophrenia - two conditions which contribute to suicide. They further offer: "It is also possible that people with low intelligence are less able to deal with their problems and may consider suicide as a solution."

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