Suicide Mortality in Finland During an Economic Cycle, 1985-1995

This study examined associations between suicide mortality, unemployment, divorce rate, & mean alcohol consumption during an economic cycle in Finland, from 1985-1995. Regression analyses using a correction for serial autocorrelation were performed. Suicde mortality in both females & males increased during an economic upswing from 1985-1990, & decreased during an economic recession from 1990-1995. Suicide mortality was not associated with unemployment or divorce rate. These results are opposed to those of many previous studies. A significant association was found between male suicide mortality & mean alcohol consumption, in accord with other studies. (26 refs.)