Suicide and General Elections in Austria: do Preceding Regional Suicide Rate Differentials Foreshadow Subsequent Voting Behavior Swings?

The authors investigated whether preceding regional suicide rates are related to subsequent election results. Stepwise weighted multiple regression of averaged standardized suicide rates for the preceding period in each of Austria’s policital districts led to a significant model. The findings suggest that variations in preceding regional suicide incidence might be mirrored in subsequent voting behavior. A speculative post hoc explanation for the finding is offered, & its limitations are discussed. (25 refs)