scholarly journals Gender difference in suicide in Taiwan over a century: a time trend analysis in 1905–1940 and 1959–2012

2020 ◽  
pp. jech-2020-214058
Author(s):  
Yi-Han Chang ◽  
David Gunnell ◽  
Chia-Yueh Hsu ◽  
Shu-Sen Chang ◽  
Andrew Tai-Ann Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Specific Method ◽  
Gender Ratio ◽  
Unemployment Rates ◽  
Female Suicide ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
Male To Female

BackgroundSuicide rates are higher in men than in women in most countries, although the gender ratios vary markedly worldwide. We investigated long-term trends in suicide rates and the male-to-female ratios in relation to age, method and economic factors in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial (1905–1940) and postwar (1959–2012) periods.MethodsSuicide data were from the Statistical Reports of Taiwan Governor’s Office (1905–1940), Vital Statistics (1959–1970) and cause-of-death mortality data files (1971–2012). Annual age-standardised and age-specific/method-specific suicide rates by gender and the gender ratios were calculated and examined graphically. The associations between trends in economic indicators, suicide and suicide gender ratio were investigated using Prais-Winsten regression.ResultsThe male-to-female suicide rate ratio increased from below 1 in the 1900s to around 2 by 2000; the reversal was mainly due to a marked reduction in suicide rates in young women coupled with a rise in male suicide between 1905 and 1940. The gender ratio increased again from the 1980s onwards. Poisoning was the most common method in the 1970s–1980s, but its use decreased afterwards, more in women than in men proportionally. The use of gassing for suicide increased markedly in the 2000s and contributed to the rises in overall suicide and the gender ratio. Unemployment rates were more strongly associated with male suicide than female suicide in 1959–2012. Unemployment rates and gross domestic product per capita were positively associated with suicide gender ratios.ConclusionsGender differences in suicide changed remarkably in Taiwan over the past century; such change may be related to cultural, socioeconomic and method-specific factors.

scholarly journals Relationship of the high proportion of suicidal acts involving ingestion of pesticides to the low male-to-female ratio of suicide rates in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongsheng Tong ◽  
Michael R. Phillips ◽  
Yi Yin ◽  
Zhichao Lan
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
World Health ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Demographic Profile ◽  
Female Suicide ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male To Female

Abstract Aims The 2014 World Health Organization report on global suicide identified large differences in the male-to-female ratio of suicide rates between countries: most high-income countries (HICs) report ratios of 3:1 or higher while many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) – including China and India – report ratios of less than 1.5:1. Most authors suggest that gender-based social-cultural factors lead to higher rates of suicidal behaviour among women in LMICs and, thus, to relatively high female suicide rates. We aim to test an alternative hypothesis: differences in the method and case-fatality of suicidal behaviour – not differences in the rates of suicidal behaviour – are the main determinants of higher female suicide rates in LMICs. Methods A prospective registry of suicide attempts treated in all 14 general hospitals in a rural county in China was established and data from the registry were integrated with population and mortality data from the same county from 2009 to 2014. Results There were 160 suicides and 1010 medically-treated suicidal attempts in the county; 84% of female suicides and 58% of male suicides ingested pesticides while 73% of female attempted suicides and 72% of male attempted suicides ingested pesticides. The suicide rate (per 100 000 person-years of exposure) was 8.4 in females and 9.1 in males (M:F ratio = 1.08:1) while the incidence of ‘serious suicidal acts’ (i.e. those that result in death or received treatment in a hospital) was 81.5 in females and 47.7 in males (M:F ratio = 0.59:1). The case-fatality of serious suicidal acts was higher in males than in females (19 v. 10%), increased with age, was highest for violent methods (92%), intermediate for pesticide ingestion (13%) and lowest for other methods (5%). Conclusions The incidence of medically serious suicidal behaviour among females in rural China was similar to that reported in HICs, but the case-fatality was much higher, primarily because most suicidal acts involved the ingestion of pesticides, which had a higher case-fatality than methods commonly used by women in HICs. These findings do not support sociological explanations for the relatively high female suicide rate in China but, rather, suggest that gender-specific method choice and the case-fatality of different methods are more important determinants of the demographic profile of suicide rates. Further research that involves ongoing monitoring of the changing incidence, demographic profile and case-fatality of different suicidal methods in urban and rural parts of both LMICs and HICs is needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Suicide in Québec, 1951–1986

1995 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lester
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Death Rates ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Unemployment Rates ◽  
Female Suicide ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
Divorce Rates

Data from Fortier, et al. (1989) were reanalysed using multiple regression. While birth and divorce rates were significantly associated with both male and female suicide rates, unemployment rates and cirrhosis death rates were associated only with male suicide rates.

Age, labour market conditions and male suicide rates in selected countries

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
PHILIP TAYLOR
Keyword(s):  
Older Workers ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Labour Force Participation ◽  
Unemployment Rates ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
Younger Workers ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Relationship

This study examined the relationship between suicide rates among men since 1975 and rates of unemployment and labour force participation in 20 countries. Previous research has found statistically significant correlations between suicide and unemployment rates over time among young people in a number of countries. This study has extended this research to include different age groups of men. The findings for younger workers largely confirm the findings of previous studies. Among older workers, however, unemployment and suicide rates are largely unrelated, notable exceptions including Japan and the USA. The implications of this finding for policy making towards older workers are discussed.

Economic and Social Correlates of Suicide in Caribbean Nations

1994 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 351-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bijou Yang ◽  
David Lester
Keyword(s):  
Gross National Product ◽  
National Product ◽  
Social Correlates ◽  
Caribbean Islands ◽  
Female Suicide ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Using Data

Using data from the 1970s, it was observed that the gross national product per capita was positively associated with male suicide rates in the Caribbean islands, with sociological variables playing a smaller role. In contrast, sociological variables played the more important role in the associations with female suicide rates.

scholarly journals Relationship between antidepressant sales and secular trends in suicide rates in the Nordic countries

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svein Reseland ◽  
Isabelle Bray ◽  
David Gunnell
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Assessment ◽  
Secular Trends ◽  
Nordic Countries ◽  
Female Suicide ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
The Relationship

BackgroundThe effect of recent increases in antidepressant prescribing on population suicide rates is uncertain.AimsTo investigate the relationship between antidepressant sales and trends in suicide rates.MethodGraphical and quantitative assessment of trends in suicide and antidepressant sales in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.ResultsSuicide rates declined in all four countries during the 1990s, whereas antidepressant sales increased by 3- to 4-fold. Decreasing suicide rates in Sweden and Denmark preceded the rise in anti-depressant sales by over 10 years, although the reductions accelerated between 1988 and 1990. In Norway, a modest but short-lived decline in suicide rates began around the time of the increase in antidepressant sales. In Finland, decreases in male suicide rates and to a lesser extent in female suicide rates began around the time of increased antidepressant sales. In all four countries decreases in suicide rates appeared to precede the widespread use of SSRIs.ConclusionsWe found mixed evidence that increases in antidepressant sales have coincided with a reduction in the number of suicides in Nordic countries.

scholarly journals Suicide Rates in Greece: Comparing Mortality Data with Police Reporting Statistics and Investigating Recent Trends

2017 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 61-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Tragaki ◽  
Konstantinos Lenos
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Police Data ◽  
Police Reporting ◽  
Police Statistics ◽  
Police Records ◽  
Recent Trends ◽  
Data Collections

This paper analyzes recent suicide trends in Greece. It relies on two separate databases, vital statistics and police records, the latter never having been explored before. Those datasets present a different picture about the suicide rates and trends, confirming the crucial importance of data reliability and consistency in time trend analysis. Frequencies and ratios were calculated and compared using paired sample t-tests. Overtime trend changes were detected applying segment regression analysis on both data collections. Our findings suggest that there are important differences between vital and police statistics on suicides. At national level, over the period 1990–2013, vital statistics reported an average of 7 percent more suicides, annually. Differences were more pronounced among women and younger ages. Both datasets confirm a change in total suicide trends during recent recession, but police data analysis supports that increases are less impressive than vital statistics claim.

Sweden: Income and Suicide

2010 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Magnusson ◽  
Ilkka Henrik Mäkinen
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Study ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ols Regression ◽  
Female Suicide ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
The Relationship

-Previous publications have reported two conflicting patterns describing the relationship between income and suicide in Sweden; positive and negative. Methodologically the studies have differed, and the analysis has been limited to a few areas. To better understand the relationship, a nationwide, cross-sectional, ecological study of the 290 municipalities in Sweden was planned. OLS regression analyses showed the overall and female suicide rates were negatively related to income, while the effect on male suicide rates was not statistically significant. The results confirm earlier findings of a negative relationship between income and suicide.

Suicide and Wealth in Sweden: Comment on Ferrada-Noli

1997 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 34-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lester ◽  
Ann-Christine Savlid
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Study ◽  
Average Income ◽  
Income Per Capita ◽  
Female Suicide ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
Per Capita

In an ecological study of the 24 counties of Sweden, the total and male suicide rates were not significantly associated with the average income per capita, while the correlation between female suicide rates and income was significant.

scholarly journals Suicide is Impacted by Culture: Gender Suicide Rates

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saxby Pridmore ◽  
Saxby Pridmore ◽  
William Pridmore
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Suicidal Behaviour ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Female Suicide ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
Female Suicide Rate ◽  
The Stability

Objective: Over the last century mental disorder has been promoted as the universal suicide trigger. This view has been discredited and other triggers are being considered. The aim is to determine whether different regions have sustained different suicide rates for the genders male and female. In the affirmative case, as gender roles are culturally determined, an impact of culture on suicidal behaviour would be confirmed. Method: The WHO Suicide Rates data by country (2016) was examined over a 17-year period. This was examined for details of countries which had demonstrated higher female than male suicide. 6 were located and an additional 6 countries were selected with similar total suicide rates and a higher male than female suicide rate. The stability of higher female or male suicide rates was explored. Results: The 6 countries with higher female suicide rates continued this pattern of behaviour over 17 years – and the countries with higher male suicide rates also continued the established pattern. Conclusions: The persistence of different gender suicide rates in 12 countries over 17 years confirmed that culture can strongly impact suicidal behaviour.

scholarly journals Suicide Rates in Evacuation Areas After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster

Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 353-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatsugu Orui ◽  
Yuriko Suzuki ◽  
Masaharu Maeda ◽  
Seiji Yasumura
Keyword(s):  
Vital Statistics ◽  
First Year ◽  
Disaster Mental Health ◽  
Female Population ◽  
Monthly Data ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Nuclear Disaster ◽  
Disaster Mental Health Services ◽  
Male Suicide ◽  
Post Disaster

Abstract. Background: Associations between nuclear disasters and suicide have been examined to a limited extent. Aim: To clarify the suicide rates in evacuation areas after the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, which occurred in March 2011. Method: This descriptive study used monthly data from vital statistics between March 2009 and December 2015. Suicide rates in areas to which evacuation orders had been issued, requiring across-the-board, compulsory evacuation of residents from the entire or part of municipalities, were obtained and compared with the national average. Results: Male suicide rates in evacuation areas increased significantly immediately after the disaster, and then began to increase again 4 years after the disaster. Female suicide rates declined slightly during the first year and then increased significantly over the subsequent 3-year period. Moreover, male rates in areas where evacuation orders were issued for the total area declined over the course of approximately 2 years, but then began to increase thereafter. Analysis by age revealed postdisaster male rates in evacuation areas decreased for those aged 50–69 years and increased for those aged ≤ 29 years and ≥ 70 years. Limitations: The number of suicides among females and the female population in the evacuation area was small. Conclusion: Our findings suggest the need to keep in mind that, when providing post-disaster mental health services, suicide rates can eventually increase even if they initially decrease.

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