The Prediction of Suicide and Homicide Rates Cross-Nationally by Means of Stepwise Multiple Regression

Stepwise multiple regression techniques were used to find predictors of the male & female suicide & homicide rates in a sample of 18 industrialized nations. The best predictors of both male & female suicide rates were the birth rate & the nation`s need to affiliate. The best predictors of the male & female homicide rates were somewhat different: thunderstorm days & population density for the male rate, & cigarette consumption & thunderstorms for the female rate.