Employment and suicidal rates during economic recession: A country-targeted integrative review

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402096974
Author(s):  
Apostolos Kamekis ◽  
George Rachiotis ◽  
Adelais Markaki ◽  
Vasiliki Samara ◽  
Emmanouil K. Symvoulakis
Keyword(s):  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Integrative Review ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Greek Language ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Reported Data ◽  
Recession Period

Background: The economic crisis’ effects on suicide rates for countries undergoing or exiting austerity measures have been widely debated. This integrative review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesize available evidence of employment status effect on suicide mortality rates in Greece during the recent economic recession period. Methods: A literature review of studies evaluating suicides in the general Greek population, as well as across age and gender groups, in relation to employment during the economic crisis period was performed. PubMed electronic database was searched for relevant articles published in English or Greek language from 2009 up to February 2020. Appraisal was carried out based on the Hierarchy of Evidence Rating System and the GRADE guidelines. Results: A total of 24 articles met all inclusion criteria with 20 of them at level IV, 2 at level VII, and 2 at level VIII. A total of 18 studies reported increase of suicide rates during the economic recession period. About 12 studies examined the co-relation between unemployment and suicide rate, with ten studies showing a positive correlation. Moreover, thirteen studies reported data on the effect of gender and age variables on suicide rates. Conclusion: Evidence shows that suicide mortality rates in Greece increased after the eruption of economic recession, particularly after the implementation of radical austerity measures (2011–2014). This increase was positively correlated with unemployment and was more prominent among males of working age. Further in depth epidemiological research of regional variations in terms of profile and contributing or enabling factors of suicidal behavior is needed.

scholarly journals Sex-specific and age-specific suicide mortality by method in 58 countries between 2000 and 2015

2020 ◽  
pp. injuryprev-2019-043601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Wu ◽  
David C Schwebel ◽  
Yun Huang ◽  
Peishan Ning ◽  
Peixia Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Suicide Method ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Binomial Models ◽  
Country Specific

ObjectiveTo examine recent changes in sex-specific and age-specific suicide mortality by method across countries.MethodsUsing mortality data from the WHO mortality database, we compared sex-specific, age-specific and country-specific suicide mortality by method between 2000 and 2015. We considered seven major suicide methods: poisoning by pesticides, all other poisoning, firearms and explosives, hanging, jumping from height, drowning and other methods. Changes in suicide mortality were quantified using negative binomial models among three age groups (15–44 years, 45–64 years, and 65 years and above) for males and females separately.ResultsSuicide mortality declined substantially for both sexes and all three age groups studied in 37 of the 58 included countries between 2000 and 2015. Males consistently had much higher suicide mortality rates than females in all 58 countries. Hanging was the most common suicide method in the majority of 58 countries. Sex-specific suicide mortality varied across 58 countries significantly for all three age groups. The spectrum of suicide method generally remained stable for 28 of 58 included countries; notable changes occurred in the other 30 countries, including especially Colombia, Finland and Trinidad and Tobago.ConclusionLikely as a result of prevention efforts as well as sociodemographic changes, suicide mortality decreased substantially in 37 of the included 58 countries between 2000 and 2015. Further actions are needed to explore specific drivers of the recent changes (particularly for increases in eight countries), to understand substantial disparities in suicide rates across countries, and to develop interventions to reduce suicide rates globally.

scholarly journals Regional Variation and Socio-Economic Determinants of Suicide Mortality in Greece before and during Economic Crisis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 6117
Author(s):  
Christos Zilidis ◽  
Dimitrios Papagiannis ◽  
Georgios Rachiotis
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Regional Variation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Impact

Background. Suicide mortality increased in Greece after the 2008 financial crisis. This study aimed to explore the regional variation of suicide mortality before and after the economic crisis, and its correlation with socio-economic and mental health-related variables factors. Methods. This is a quasi-experimental ecological study. Data from the national mortality statistics were analyzed, and standardized death rates and age-specific mortality rates were calculated. The effect of economic crisis was explored by comparing mortality rates before and after crisis onset. Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression were used to assess the impact of socioeconomic and mental health-related factors on suicide mortality. Results. Trends of suicide mortality showed a rise during 2011–2014, followed by a decline during 2015–2016. Significant differences were observed between regions, ranging from 27.6% lower to 54% higher than the national average. Unemployment, income, and change of gross domestic product were significantly correlated with regional variation. No association was found with mental disorder mortality rates and psychotropic drug consumption. Conclusions. Socio-economic factors explained only a part of the suicide mortality variation. Mental health-related factors were not significantly correlated with suicide mortality. More research is needed to investigate other possible determinants of suicides.

scholarly journals Suicidal Behavior in the Mediterranean Countries

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-100
Author(s):  
Mehmet Eskin
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
World Average ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Muslim Countries ◽  
Mediterranean Countries ◽  
Arab Muslim ◽  
The World ◽  
The Mediterranean

Introduction: Suicidal behavior is a serious public health problem worldwide and shows large intersocietal variation. This study aimed at comparatively investigating the aspects of suicidal behavior in 22 countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. Methods: The study was conducted with official data retrieved from several sources. The suicidal mortality data were collected from World Health Organization’s data repository. Descriptive statistics, group comparison, correlational and regression statistical analyses were used to summarize the data. Results: The average age standardized suicide rates in the Mediterranean countries are lower than the world average. Except in Morocco, more men kill themselves than women. Suicide rates are lower in Mediterranean Muslim than in Mediterranean Christian countries. Slovenia, France and Croatia have the highest suicide mortality rates. Greatest percentages of suicidal ideation are seen in Croatia, Turkey and Slovenia and the greatest percentages of suicidal attempts are seen in Palestine, Cyprus, Greece and Slovenia. According to the results of the multiple regression analyses, the coefficient of human inequality index was associated with lower both-sex and male suicide rates. Greater percentages of people saying religion is unimportant in daily life in a country were found to be related to higher female suicide rates. Conclusion: The findings from the study have shown that the prevalence of suicidal deaths, thoughts and attempts vary between the Mediterranean countries. Lower suicide rates are observed in the Muslim Mediterranean nations than in the Judeo-Christian ones. However, the rates of suicide mortality in non-Arab Muslim nations being comparable to the rates in non-Muslim countries confirm the concerns over mis/underreporting of suicidal behavior in Arab Muslim countries due to religio-cultural stigma attached to suicide. The average suicidal mortality rates are lower in Mediterranean countries than the world average. Generally, more men than women kill themselves. Results from the multivariate analysis revealed that as the level of human inequality increases the rates for both-sex and male suicidal mortality decreases. Religion seem to be protective against female suicides. The study has also shown that more research is needed about suicidal behavior in the Mediterranean countries.

scholarly journals Is suicide underreported? Evidence from Japan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Matsubayashi ◽  
Michiko Ueda
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Socioeconomic Indicators ◽  
Systematic Relationship ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Divorce Rates

Abstract Purpose The underreporting of suicides has been a serious global concern among scholars and policymakers. Several studies have sought to detect the prevalence of underreporting by examining whether suicide mortality rates are negatively correlated with those due to unknown intent or causes. This study adds to the literature by examining the potential underreporting of suicides in Japan, where suicide rates have greatly declined in the recent years. Methods We compiled subnational data from 47 prefectures between 1995 and 2016, obtained from Vital Statistics of Japan. We examined whether (1) mortality rates due to unknown intent or causes increased as suicide rates decreased; and (2) major socioeconomic causes of suicide (unemployment and divorce rates) had any relationship with the deaths due to unknown intent or causes. Results Our analysis indicates that mortality rates due to unknown intent or causes were uncorrelated with suicide rates and the above socioeconomic indicators. Conclusions In Japan, the frequency of suicides has no systematic relationship with deaths due to unknown intent or causes, suggesting the accuracy of suicide statistics.

Trends and Most Frequent Methods of Suicide in Chile Between 2001 and 2010

Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Bustamante ◽  
Valeria Ramirez ◽  
Cinthya Urquidi ◽  
Vicente Bustos ◽  
Zimri Yaseen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Rate ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Temporal Study ◽  
Minimum Age ◽  
Urban Rural

Abstract. Background: Despite the many studies trying to evaluate the magnitude of suicide in Chile, none of them include the new valid data, recently published by the DEIS of the Chilean Health Ministry. Aim: This paper sought to describe how suicide rates changed among Chileans who were at least 15 years of age during the period of 2001–2010; these rates were stratified by sex, age, urban/rural status, and region of the country. Method: An exploratory and temporal study was conducted. Suicide mortality rates were calculated by collecting information from the Chilean Ministry of Health’s death registry between 2001 and 2010 among subjects who were at least 15 years of age. Crude and age-adjusted mortality rates were computed. Results: The standardized suicide rate in Chile during 2001–2010 was 14.7 deaths per 100,000, the highest in South America. The minimum age-adjusted suicide rate observed during the examined period was 13.49 per 100,000 in 2005, and the maximum, 16.67 per 100,000 in 2008. Suicide rates among men were up to 4.8 times the suicide rates among women. In addition, rates in rural areas were double compared with urban areas. Hanging was the most common suicide method, followed by use of firearms and explosives in men and poisoning in women. Finally, there was a progressive increase in suicide rates in the southernmost regions of the country. Conclusion: Suicide rates in Chile are relatively high among male subjects in rural areas. There is a disturbing increase in suicide rates among younger individuals and women, although these rates remain lower among younger individuals and women than among adults in general.

scholarly journals Suicide mortality trends in Galicia, Spain and their relationship with economic indicators

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 475-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Fernández-Navarro ◽  
M. L. Barrigón ◽  
J. Lopez-Castroman ◽  
M. Sanchez-Alonso ◽  
M. Páramo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Causes Of Death ◽  
Temporal Trend ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Additive Model ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Mortality Trends ◽  
Generalised Additive Model ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Sex And Age Differences

Background.Recent research has shown an association between unemployment and suicide, but the mediating factors in this relationship are still unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of unemployment and economic recession on suicide rates in the Spanish region of Galicia between 1975 and 2012Method.We analysed age-standardised suicide rates in men and women and in four age groups: less than 25 years, 25–45 years, 45–65 years and more than 65 years and performed a joinpoint analysis to determine trend changes throughout 1975–2012 period. Also we analysed the association between suicide, recession and unemployment by means of a temporal trend model with a Generalised Additive Model.Results.Suicide rates increased from 145 suicides in 1975 to a high in 1993, with 377 deaths by suicide, representing 1.38% of all causes of death, and thereafter they tend to decrease to 335 suicides in 2012. Joinpoint analyses revealed that suicide rates changed differently across sex and age groups. For men, the annual percentage of change (APC) between 1975 and 1988 (CI 95% 1986–1994) was 5.45 (CI 95% = 3.5, −7.2) but from 1988 the APC became negative [−0.66 (CI 95% = −1.3, −0.1)]. For women, APC between 1974 and 1990 (CI 95% 1986–1992) was 4.86 (CI 95% = 3.2, −6.4) and −1.46 subsequently (CI 95% = −2.2, −0.5). Women aged 24 years or less showed stable suicide rates while men from 45–65 years showed two incidence peaks. When we studied the independent correlation between unemployment, recession and suicide, we found a significant association between unemployment and suicide, but not between recession and suicide for both sexes together and for men while for women there was no significant correlation between suicide and unemployment or recession. Finally, when we studied the effect of the interaction between unemployment and recession on suicide we found economic recession and unemployment interacted with regards to suicide rates (F = 5.902; df = 4.167; p = 0.00098) and after adjusting by sex, the effect was confirmed among men (F = 4.827; df = 2.823; p = 0.0087), but not among women (F = 0.001; df = 1.000; p = 0.979).Conclusions.Although suicide rates in Galicia are gradually decreasing in the last decades, there are important sex and age differences. Unemployment was related with suicide during economic recession periods according to our results.

scholarly journals Association between naturally occurring lithium in drinking water and suicide rates: systematic review and meta-analysis of ecological studies

2020 ◽  
Vol 217 (6) ◽  
pp. 667-678
Author(s):  
Anjum Memon ◽  
Imogen Rogers ◽  
Sophie M. D. D. Fitzsimmons ◽  
Ben Carter ◽  
Rebecca Strawbridge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Naturally Occurring

BackgroundThe prevalence of mental health conditions and national suicide rates are increasing in many countries. Lithium is widely and effectively used in pharmacological doses for the treatment and prevention of manic/depressive episodes, stabilising mood and reducing the risk of suicide. Since the 1990s, several ecological studies have tested the hypothesis that trace doses of naturally occurring lithium in drinking water may have a protective effect against suicide in the general population.AimsTo synthesise the global evidence on the association between lithium levels in drinking water and suicide mortality rates.MethodThe MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases were searched to identify eligible ecological studies published between 1 January 1946 and 10 September 2018. Standardised regression coefficients for total (i.e. both genders combined), male and female suicide mortality rates were extracted and pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016041375).ResultsThe literature search identified 415 articles; of these, 15 ecological studies were included in the synthesis. The random-effects meta-analysis showed a consistent protective (or inverse) association between lithium levels/concentration in publicly available drinking water and total (pooled β = −0.27, 95% CI −0.47 to −0.08; P = 0.006, I2 = 83.3%), male (pooled β = −0.26, 95% CI −0.56 to 0.03; P = 0.08, I2 = 91.9%) and female (pooled β = −0.13, 95% CI −0.24 to −0.02; P = 0.03, I2 = 28.5%) suicide mortality rates. A similar protective association was observed in the six studies included in the narrative synthesis, and subgroup meta-analyses based on the higher/lower suicide mortality rates and lithium levels/concentration.ConclusionsThis synthesis of ecological studies, which are subject to the ecological fallacy/bias, supports the hypothesis that there is a protective (or inverse) association between lithium intakes from public drinking water and suicide mortality at the population level. Naturally occurring lithium in drinking water may have the potential to reduce the risk of suicide and may possibly help in mood stabilisation, particularly in populations with relatively high suicide rates and geographical areas with a greater range of lithium concentration in the drinking water. All the available evidence suggests that randomised community trials of lithium supplementation of the water supply might be a means of testing the hypothesis, particularly in communities (or settings) with demonstrated high prevalence of mental health conditions, violent criminal behaviour, chronic substance misuse and risk of suicide.

scholarly journals The Impact of Suicide Prevention Act (2006) on Suicides in Japan

Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miharu Nakanishi ◽  
Kaori Endo ◽  
Shuntaro Ando ◽  
Atsushi Nishida
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
Tohoku Earthquake ◽  
Interrupted Time Series ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Vital Statistics ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Prevention Act ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Background: The Suicide Prevention Act was implemented in 2006 in Japan to promote various suicide prevention strategies. Aims: The present study examined the impact of the Suicide Prevention Act on recent suicide mortality rates in Japan. Method: Using an interrupted time-series design, we analyzed monthly mortality rates between January 1996 and December 2016. Death certificate data from vital statistics were obtained. Results: A total of 597,007 suicides (99.3% of all suicides) were analyzed. At the onset of the economic recession in 1998, a significant increase was observed in overall age-standardized mortality rates and sex-/age-specific populations, except for those aged 60 or older. The difference in trend between before and after implementation of the Suicide Prevention Act was not significant for overall or for any stratified populations. After the onset of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami of 2011, mortality rates declined for overall and for sex-/age-specific populations. Limitations: No information was available on what could have led to each suicide. Conclusion: The decline in mortality rates may be due to a significant and recent natural disaster. Further studies are needed to clarify plausible mechanisms for the decline in suicide rates following the Tōhoku disaster.

scholarly journals Cross-national comparisons of increasing suicidal mortality rates for Koreans in the Republic of Korea and Korean Americans in the USA, 2003–2012

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-73
Author(s):  
A. Kung ◽  
K. G. Hastings ◽  
K. I. Kapphahn ◽  
E. J. Wang ◽  
M. R. Cullen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Asian American ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Korean Americans ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Republic Of Korea ◽  
World Health ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Republic

Aims.Korea has the highest suicide rate of developed countries, two times higher than the USA. Suicide trends among Koreans Americans living in the USA during the same period have not yet been described. We report suicide mortality rates and trends for four groups: (1) Korean Americans, (2) non-Hispanic White (NHW) Americans, (3) selected Asian American subgroups and (4) Koreans living in the Republic of Korea.Methods.We used US national (n = 18 113 585) and World Health Organization (WHO) (n = 232 919 253) mortality records for Korea from 2003 to 2012 to calculate suicide rates, all expressed per 100 000 persons. We assessed temporal trends and differences in age, gender and race/ethnicity using binomial regression.Results.Suicide rates are highest in Koreans living in the Republic of Korea (32.4 for men and 14.8 for women). Suicide rates in Korean Americans (13.9 for men and 6.5 for women) have nearly doubled from 2003 to 2012 and exceed rates for all other Asian American subgroups (5.4–10.7 for men and 1.6–4.2 for women). Suicide rates among NHWs (21.0 for men and 5.6 for women) remain high. Among elders, suicide in Korean Americans (32.9 for men and 15.4 for women) is the highest of all examined racial/ethnic groups in the USA.Conclusions.Suicide in Korean Americans is higher than for other Asian Americans and follows temporal patterns more similar to Korea than the USA. Interventions to prevent suicide in Korean American populations, particularly among the elderly, are needed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document