Year: 1987 Source: Annual Meeting of the American Association of Suicidology, (20th: 1987: San Francisco), p.453 SIEC No: 19880911

The study summarized here was designed to test the role of imitation in suicide clusters. The number of deliberate overdoses in British hospitals following a televised fictional suicide by overdose was compared to the number treated in the week prior to the episode (the control period). Comparisons included sex, age, distance from London, & viewing figure area analysis. The somewhat conflicting findings are discussed & it is concluded that the case for an imitation effect is not proven. (GW)