The gap Between Suicide Characteristics in the Print Media and in the Population

The authors applied binomial tests to compare frequencies of social characteristics of all domestic suicides in the 13 largest Austrian print media in 2005 with frequences of suicide characteristics in the population. Results showed suicides involving murder or murder attempt were overrepresented in the media. Reporting on mental disorders was underrepresented. In the regression analysis, the likelihood of a report was negatively associated with the age of suicide victims. Foreign citizenship was a further predictor of a suicide report. Suicide characteristics in the media are not representative of the population. These discrepancies provide a basis for mass media education. (20 refs.) JA