What Does Psychological Autopsy Study Tell us About Charcoal Burning Suicide – a new and Contagious Method in Asia?

Charcoal burning suicides in Hong Kong between 2002-2004 in the 15-59-year-old age group were investigated using psychological autopsies. The psychopathological profiles of 53 charcoal burning suicides were compared to 97 suicides by other methods. The 2 groups did not differ significantly in the prevalence of axis I diagnoses with the exception of schizophrenic spectrum disorder which was less frequently associated with charcoal burning suicides. The score on neuroticism in the NEO-Five Factor Inventory was significantly higher in victims of charcoal burning suicides. There was also a trend toward a higher score on conscientiousness on the NEO-Five among charcoal burning suicides. (15 refs.)