Variation In Suicide Research Articles

Telephonic service utilization in a crisis intervention centre: Some findings, similar to temporal variation in suicides

Previous studies frequently reported seasonality phenomena and other temporal variations following smaller cycles for suicide and parasuicide, as well as associations with environmental factors, such as weather conditions. This study was conducted in order to determine temporal variation in telephonic service utilization in a crisis intervention centre as well as its relationship to environmental factors (biometeorological conditions, lunar phases), Statistically significant temporal variations in number of telephonic calls on several cyclical lengths, tracing some well-known patterns in suicide statistics, could be revealed. Modest evidence of differential telephonic service utilization in relation to the local biometeorological situation the same day appeared (not reaching statistical significance). The results confirm the “broken promise”-effect (Gabennesch, 1988), an explanation originally proposed for temporal variations in suicide statistics, for utilization of a telephonic crisis intervention service, too. Further research on biometeorological effects on utilization should be encouraged.

Telephonic service utilization in a crisis intervention centre: Some findings, similar to temporal variation in suicides

Previous studies frequently reported seasonality phenomena and other temporal variations following smaller cycles for suicide and parasuicide, as well as associations with environmental factors, such as weather conditions. This study was conducted in order to determine temporal variation in telephonic service utilization in a crisis intervention centre as well as its relationship to environmental factors (biometeorological conditions, lunar phases). Statistically significant temporal variations in number of telephonic calls on several cyclical lengths, tracing some well-known patterns in suicide statistics, could be revealed. Modest evidence of differential telephonic service utilization in relation to the local biometeorological situation the same day appeared (not reaching statistical significance). The results confirm the “broken promise”-effect (Gabennesch, 1988), an explanation originally proposed for temporal variations in suicide statistics, for utilization of a telephonic crisis intervention service, too. Further research on biometeorological effects on utilization should be encouraged.

Suicide in urban New South Wales, Australia 1985–1994: socio-economic and migrant interactions

Variation of suicide with socio-economic status (SES) in urban NSW (Australia) during 1985–1994, by sex and country or region of birth, was examined using Poisson regression analysis of vital statistics and population data (age≳15 yr). Quintiles of SES were defined by municipality of residence and comparisons of suicide by SES were adjusted for age and country (or region) of birth (COB), and examined by COB. Risk of suicide in females was 28% that of males for all adults and 21% for youth (age 15–24 yr). Suicide risk was lower in males from southern Europe, Middle East and Asia, and higher in northern and eastern European males, compared to the Australian-born. Risks for suicide increased significantly with decreasing SES in males, but not in females. The relationship of male suicide and SES was stronger when controlled for COB. For males, the relative risk of suicide, adjusted for age and COB, was 66% higher in the lowest SES quintile compared to the highest quintile, and 39% higher for youth (age 15–24 yr). For male suicide, the population attributable fraction for SES (less than the highest quintile) was 27%. Analysis of SES differentials in male suicide according to COB indicated a significant inverse suicide gradient in relation to SES for the Australian-born and those born in New Zealand and the United Kingdom or Eire, but not in non-English speaking COB groups, except for Asia. For Australian-born males, suicide risk was 71% higher in the lowest SES group (compared to the highest), adjusted for age. These findings indicate that SES plays an important role in male suicide rates among the Australian-born and migrants from English-speaking countries and Asia, and among youth; but not in female suicide, nor suicide in most non-English speaking migrant groups. Reduction in SES differentials through economic and social policies may reduce male suicide in lower SES groups and should be seen to be at least as important as individual level interventions.

Variation of suicide and homicide rates by longitude and latitude.

State suicide rates in 1980 varied gradually, rather than abruptly, with longitude, as did homicide rates with latitude.

A re-examination of seasonal variation in suicides in Australia and New Zealand

Background: To examine the seasonality of suicides in Australia and New Zealand during the period 1981 to 1993. Methods: A chi-square test and a harmonic analysis were used to detect the seasonality of the suicide data. Results: The reduced amplitude and a smaller proportion of variance accounted for by seasonality suggested the seasonal effect on suicide is greatly diminished. The absence of biseasonal distribution of female suicides was also consistently found in the two countries. The finding was contrary to the reported results in seventies in many Western countries. Conclusions: The change in living condition, roles of males and females and communication pattern resulted in the reduction of climatic and environment effect in the seasonality of suicides were suggested. Limitations: The results would be better if a longer series of suicide date were available.

The Regional Variation of Suicide in the United States in 1880 and 1980

State suicide rates in both 1880 and 1980 were higher in the west, where the proportion of men was higher and where the proportion of African Americans was lower, supporting a compositional theory of regional suicide rates in America.

Seasonal and weather factors in parasuicide.

Seasonal variation in suicide and parasuicide has previously been reported. Few investigations have examined whether meteorological factors could influence suicidal behaviour, and the inconclusive results produced may be due to a variety of methodological problems. The present study overcomes some previous difficulties and tested whether parasuicide admission rate is related to weather variables. Over 12,000 admissions for parasuicide were analysed by month, season, and in relation to meteorological data, which were measured close to the admitting hospital. Marked seasonal (P < 0.001) and monthly (P < 0.001) variations in mean daily parasuicide numbers were seen in women but not men. Small but highly significant correlations were demonstrated between parasuicide rate and weather parameters (P < 0.01), which were more marked in women (P < 0.01). These effects were additional to the monthly variation (P < 0.05). Weather has a small influence on parasuicide. Gender differences in body temperature regulation might account for the sex difference seen.

Seasonality in violent suicide but not in nonviolent suicide or homicide.

Previous studies have reported seasonal or monthly variation in suicide. The present study was conducted in order to determine seasonality and other significant rhythms in violent and nonviolent suicide, alone and together, and homicide. Data on suicide, violent suicide, nonviolent suicide, and homicide (categorized according to ICD-9) for all of Belgium for the period 1979-1987 were analyzed by means of spectral analyses. There was a significant seasonality for suicide but not homicide. Seasonality was present in violent but not in nonviolent suicide. The number of violent suicides increased with age and was more prominent in men. The violent suicide chronograms of younger and elderly persons were quite distinct in the occurrence of peaks in March-April and August, respectively, and lows in December-January. There was no significant relationship between violent suicide and homicide. Seasonality in suicide is determined by significant circannual rhythms in violent suicides, which differ between younger and elderly persons.

The Seasonal Variation of Suicide in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, suicides were found to peak in January (possibly a registration artifact), with a subsidiary peak in November (consistent with the spring peak found in the northern hemisphere).

The seasonal variation in suicide in urban and rural areas: comment on Micciolo, Zimmerman-Tansella, Williams and Tansella

Micciolo et al. (1988) reported on the seasonal variation of suicide rates in Italy from 1969 to 1981, and they noted that the seasonal variation was stronger in urban areas than in rural areas

Geophysical Variables and Behavior: LIX. The Seasonal Variation in Suicide Rates: Three Studies

The seasonal variation in suicide in the USA was not more pronounced in 1980 in northern regions but was more clear for married people than for those with other marital statuses. The seasonal variation in suicide was not associated with the gross domestic product of the region.

Seasonal variation in suicide: is there a sex difference?

Seasonal variation in suicide in Italy for the years 1969-81 has been assessed in males and females by means of harmonic analysis. Cyclical fluctuations in the number of suicides, reasonably consistent over the 13 years of the study, have been observed in both sexes. Seasonal harmonics accounted for 65.3 and 48.4% of the variance in male and female suicides respectively. While in males the only important seasonal harmonic was the first (one cycle per year), in females there was an important first harmonic and a second harmonic (two cycles per year). In both sexes the peak of the first harmonic occurred in May, while in females the subsidiary peak occurred in October-November.

Geophysical variables and behavior: LI. Temporal variation of suicide in teens and young adults.

Young adults aged 15 to 24 yr. showed a significant variation over the days of week, with a peak on Sunday (X,2 = 18.12, p < .01), whereas those over 35 yr. of age showed a peak on Mondays (xG2 = 44.27, p < ,001). Young adults showed no variation over the months of the year (X,,2 = 12.57) whereas those over 35 yr. of age showed a peak in April and May (x,,' = 53.09, p < .001). Young adults had no fewer suicides on national holidays than expected (x,2 = 0.78) whereas those over 35 yr. of age had fewer than expected (x,* = 6.88, p < .01). The present analysis then showed that young adults may have a different temporal distribution for suicide than older adults.

Geophysical variables and behavior: XLI. Regional variation of suicide and homicide rates by different methods.

Lester (1980) reported that the suicide rates were higher for the states in the west, but there was no north-south variation. Homicide rates were higher in the south, but there was no east-west variation. Using the same methodology as that of the earlier paper (in which the latitude and longitude of the state capital were used as the measures for each stare), this report describes the variation of suicide and homicide races by each method by both latitude and longitude for the 48 continental states in 1960, using data from the Vital and Health Statistics of the United States, 1960 (National Center for Health Statistics, 1963). Suicide rates by hanging and by other methods were higher in the north (Pearson rs = 0.62 and 0.41), while suicide rates by poisons and by firearms were higher in the west (rs = 0.45 and 0.49). In contrast, homicide rates by firearms, by cutting and by other methods were all higher in the south (rs = -0.84, -0.69, and -0.39) and did not vary from east to west. For purposes of comparison, accidental death rates were also studied. Accidental death rates by poisons, by fires and by drowning were higher in the south (rs = -0.40, -0.58, and -0.47), while the accidental death rate by falls was higher in the north (r = 0.58). Accidental death rates from drowning and firearms were higher in the west (7s = 0.38 and 0.45). The variation in suicide and homicide rates by laritude and longitude is associated with methods chosen for death.

Geophysical variables and behavior: XXXVI. Regional variation in suicide and homicide: controls for weather and southern culture.

Geophysical variables and behavior: XXXVI. Regional variation in suicide and homicide: controls for weather and southern culture.

Suicide and homicide rates: their relationship to latitude and longitude and to the weather.

The variation of suicide and homicide rates in the major standard metropolitan statistical areas of the United States was explored to see whether regional variations in temperature and precipitation could account for some of the variation. Controls for temperature eliminated the North-South variation in suicide rates, but not the North-South variation in homicide rates or the East-West variation in suicide rates. Only the correlation between precipitation and homicide rates survived controls for latitude and longitude.

Regional variation in suicide and homicide.

Violence in American cities was examined by classifying each city as high versus low in its homicide rate and high versus low in its suicide rate. Four groups of cities were identified on the basis of this classification, and their characteristics were explored. Differences were found in crime rates, poverty, population density, racial composition, latitude, and longitude. The implications of the results were examined.

Seasonal variation in suicide and homicide: a question of consistency.

SummarySeasonal or monthly fluctuations in suicides and homicides were analysed using US mortality data for the years 1969–78, using periodic regression analysis. The results were generally consistent (year-to-year) over the 10-year period. The pattern for suicide was distinctly seasonal: it was above average all spring and below average all winter. For homicides, the pattern was more monthly, with July–September and December being above average times and January–June being below average.

The bi-seasonal incidence of some suicides. Experience from Finland by marital status, 1961-1976.

The seasonal variation in suicides in Finland is examined by marital status using the individual records for all suicides committed in 1961-1976 and periodic regression analysis. Suicides were usually most frequent in spring or summer, but there was an exceptional secondary concentration of suicides in the autumn period among married and widowed females, which makes the monthly pattern bimodal. Suicides among divorced and widowed males aged 15-44 years showed a unimodal variation with the peak in autumn. While an influence from certain social factors might be entertained, the reasons for the seasonal variation in suicides in general and for this anomalous bimodality in particular remain unknown.

Autumn incidence of suicides re-examined: data from Finland by sex, age and occupation.

The seasonal variation in suicides in Finland during the period 1961-1976 was examined using individual records from 16,312 death certificates and time-series analysis. De-trended figures show that suicides are usually concentrated in early summer but a secondary rise in the late part of the year is noted, particularly in females, among those aged 15-24 years and in the highest and lowest (i.e. unknown) social classes. In modern occupations (technical, administrative, clerical, sales and service work) suicides usually occur in late autumn. It is suggested that the original seasonal peak in suicides lies in spring-summer, while the autumn peak is of later origin and typical of those living in a man-made environment.