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Seasonal variation in suicide rates by cause and sex

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2008

S. Araki ,
H. Aono ,
K. Murata ,
I. Shikata  and
Y. Mitsukuni
S. Araki
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Medical College of Oita, Oita
H. Aono
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Medical College of Oita, Oita
K. Murata
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Medical College of Oita, Oita
I. Shikata
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Medicine and Osaka Prefectural Office of Medical Inspection, Medical School, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
Y. Mitsukuni
Affiliation:
Department of Forensic Medicine and Osaka Prefectural Office of Medical Inspection, Medical School, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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Summary

Seasonal variations in cause- and age-specific suicide rates in males and females were analysed in Osaka, Japan, for the years 1974–83, using profile analysis. Significant cause differences were found in males: (1) the rate for poisoning by domestic, car-exhaust or other gases was high in winter and spring and low in summer and autumn; (2) the rate for hanging, strangulation and suffocation was low in winter; (3) the rate for a variety of violent methods (chemicals, firearms, drowning, etc.) was high in summer. Similarly, there were sex differences in the variation for causes (2) and (3) and for ages 40–54. No significant age difference was found in either sex. Seasonal differences in the ease of suicidal methods and sex- and season-specific psychosocial factors were thought to be the major determinant of the seasonal variation.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 18 , Issue 4 , October 1986 , pp. 471 - 478
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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