Abstract
This study was designed to investigate differences in the number of suicides committed in the United States before, during, and after daylight savings time (DST). Conflicting results in the literature suggest both a positive and negative effect of DST in the physical, mental, behavioral aspects society. As a result, some states are proposing legislation to abolish DST while others are trying to make DST permanent. This study is designed to investigate whether DST has a positive negative, or no effect on the frequency of suicide. Archival data from a governmental public database containing the total number of suicides by year and month from 2000-2017 was used. Daylight savings time was defined as the months of March through October while non-DST consisted of the remaining 4 months. The data were organized into 3 groups of 4 months beginning in November, 2007 and ending in October, 2017. The results demonstrated a statistically significant increase in suicides during DST. Most suicides were committed during July-October (M = 74.69, SD = 68.86), compared to March-June (M = 73.56, SD = 67.89), and November-February (M = 67.00, SD = 61.41). Despite disagreement in the literature, this study would suggest eliminating DST altogether. These results support other evidence which suggest a detrimental effect of DST, especially with respect to the psychological and behavioral aspects of public health. Nevertheless, there is still a need for more research to determine the impact of these one hour time shifts in the Spring and Fall.
Highlights
IntroductionResearch continues to progress in order to find answers or clues that may be identified as precursors to completed suicides
Suicide is a topic that has been studied for decades in the field of psychology
Results indicated that the mean number of suicides committed during the “Group 1” months was significantly lower than the number committed during the “Group 2” months (p = .005) and during the “Group 3” months (p = .001)
Summary
Research continues to progress in order to find answers or clues that may be identified as precursors to completed suicides. It continues to be an unanswered and puzzling question as to why, when there are approximately 130 causes of death that are identified by the Centers for Disease Control, someone would take their own life? There is an abundance of risk factors that certainly could play a role in the number of completed suicides. These could include demographics such as age, race, gender, and marital status (Popoli, Sobelman, & Fox-Kanarek, 1989). That seems to contradict public opinion that it is the dark and cold months of November, ijps.ccsenet.org
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