Resource Tag: CLIMATE

The authors explore the seasonality of suicide in Japan, examining monthly data by gender for the 15-year period 1982-1996. It is found that regardless of gender, mean daily suicide demonstrates a clear bimodal distribution, with the largest peak in April & a smaller peak in September. Overall, however, the results of the analysis indicate limitations […]

This paper presents some tentative cross-cultural and cross-national evidence relating one environmental variable – climate – to both behavioral and psychocultural processes. Some support for the hypothesis that the amount of emotional expression or “level of arousal” co-varies predictably with climate and weather is offered, and alternative explanations and discussions of this hypothesis are explored. […]

Explores the assiciation between annual hours of sunshine and national rates of personal violence. Suicide rates were found no to be related to the annual hours of sunshine, precipitation, or mean annual temperature. (4 refs)

This study sought to determine the effects of weather & time of year on suicide attempts by carbon monoxide poisoning. Cases of patients in western Washington State referred to a regional hyperbaric oxygen treatment centre from 1981-1995 were reviewed retrospectively. The study population consisted of 264 patients attempting suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning on 251 […]

Seasonal variations in suicide were examined in a Caucasian population living relatively close to the equator. A spring/early summer peak, but no secondary autumn peak, was found for males. An autumn trough was found for females. No significant seasonal variation was found for rurality, distance from the equator, employment status, or methods of suicide. Postmortem […]

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. Before and after weekends or public holidays, there was no significant increase in telephone calls. There was almost no assocation between number of telephone calls & atmospheric pressure, […]

This clipping discusses the high rate of suicide in Finland and some possible explanations for this, including: alcoholism, violence, social dislocation, an economic boom, & weather.

The effect of climate on suicide in 17 Italian towns between 1974-94 were studied. Northern towns had higher suicide rates than Southern locations, but no correlation was found with longitude. Exposure to the sun & temperature had negative relationships with female suicide rates. Higher suicide rates corresponded to dry places with less sun. The author […]

Seasonal variance on suicide method, gender & age of suicide in Italy from 1984-95 was studied. Suicides in the younger age ranges (both genders) showed a less marked seasonal distribution that those in older groups. Suicides committed by violent methods showed seasonality, peaking in spring with a low in late autumn. Suicides by non-violent methods […]

This study evaluates the relative influence of social versus bioclimatic factors on cross-national variation in terms of the magnitude of spring suicide peaks. Time series & cross-sectional data for 28 countries were analyzed using bivariate plots & simple correlation. Suicide seasonality was positively correlated with seasonality in other kinds of social activity for the 28 […]

The seasonal variance of suicide & attempted suicide in Italy from 1974-94 was studied to determine the extent & nature of seasonal influences on suicidal behaviour. A significant effect of seasonal change was detected with a clear peak in spring. This effect was greater among males than females. The monthly distribution of suicide & attempted […]

The way of life in many developing countries is in transition. Modernization may mean an increase in the suicide rate of young men. However, rates may be highest in societies moving from a tribal to a cash economy. Suicides may often occur when young men are intoxicated & may be triggered by seemingly minor quarrels. […]

The relationships between weekly number of suicides & homicides in Belgium during 1979-1987, & various climatic measurements were investigated. Higher ambient temperature & an increase in air temperature in the previous few weeks were the most significant climatic predictors of the violent suicide rate. No significant time-relationships between nonviolent suicide or homicide & any of […]

The authors explored the differential effect of some climatic factors such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, sunlight duration & humidity grade on the temporal distribution of violent & non-violent suicides, accidental & undetermined causes of death as well as homicides in Belgium between 1969-84. Temperature & sunlight duration are specifically associated with the probability of violent […]

Describes research that uses a macroscopic measurement device called the Index of the Pace of Social Life to measure the seasonality of social stress in contemporary U.S. society. Findings indicate that the amount of stress varies significantly & consistently over the calendar year. Possible explanations are offered as to why certain months tend to demonstrate […]

Reports results of a study on the seasonal variation of suicides occurring in Italy from 1969-81. Findings confirm seasonality in the incidence of suicide, with one cycle per year for North/Central & South Italy. Urban regions showed a higher seasonality than rural parts of Italy. To account for the findings, the hypothesis of a strong […]

In this study, completed suicide was analyzed in 19 regions of France for the years 1973 & 1975. Regions were compared by environmental variables (ambient temperature, sunlight duration, & precipitation) & sociological factors (social cohesion, socioeconomic status, status of women, & social support). Both the stepwise regression analysis & the controlled regression analysis revealed that […]

This study examines season of birth in Alaska native suicidevictims. From 1979 to 1984, 90 suicide victims were obtainedthrough examination of death certificates. Results show that44 percent of the victims were born during the months April through July. The researchers attributed this finding to a seasonal difference in available light in the arctic. They postulate […]

This research was undertaken to analyze a defined group of suicides in relation to social factors, drug abuse, & the influence of weather. Subjects were 151 patients (62% female, 38% male, average age 37.6 years) admitted to the ICU, U of Duesseldorf, after attempting suicide by poisoning. A biosynoptic daily analysis was used to determine […]

The author links the high rate of male suicide in Finland (75% of all suicides are male) to the national characteristics of Finns, who are industrious, conscientious, fair, have difficulty in expressing their emotions & in venting aggressions in a natural way, & tend to regard positive & warm feelings in men as a sign […]

It sometimes appears that people are more interested in the weather than in practically anything else, a factor that influences what they do, how they feel, & how they react. But can weather be shown, in an objective & scientifically controlled way, to have a significant influence on a person’s mental state? Does it influence […]

This paper analyzes the impact of weather variables on rates of violence in six prisons in Kingston, Ontario. The methodology used is forward inclusion multiple regression. Conclusions drawn include that indices of geo-magnetic disturbances have statistically significant inverse relationships with attempted suicides/self-inflicted injury rates among male prisoners during the summer months. Consistent differences between male […]

Provided is a view of suicide in Norway from the perspective of sociocultural history. The influences of history, religion, culture, harsh climate, economics & form of government are examined to determine the extent to which they are protective factors & therefore affect suicide rates. Comparisons are made to other Nordic countries. Attitudes toward suicide are […]