A drop in suicides around major national holidays

To study the fluctuation of suicides around the holidays, we examined 188,047 U.S. suicides from 1973 to 1979. Correcting for the effects of extraneous variables, such as seasons and days of the week, we found that suicides dropped by an annual average of -102.5 in the period surrounding the holidays. One set of holidays (Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) was associated with an unusually low risk of suicide before, during, and after the holiday. Another set of holidays (New Year's Day, July 4th, and Labor Day) was associated with a low risk of suicide before the holiday and a high risk just afterwards. Almost all demographic groups experienced a low risk of suicide around the holidays: whites, blacks, males, females, retired persons, and persons of working age. Only white teenagers deviated from this pattern. Thus, the evidence does not support the widespread popular assumption that holidays are a risk factor in suicide.     

Problem behaviors and suicide and homicide

In a sample of 36 nations, suicide rates were negatively associated with a drug abuse index. Homicide rates were positively associated with a violent crime index.     

Regional variation in suicide and homicide

Violence in American cities was examined by classifying each city as high versus low in its homicide rate and high versus low in its suicide rate. Four groups of cities were identified on the basis of this classification, and their characteristics were explored. Differences were found in crime rates, poverty, population density, racial composition, latitude, and longitude. The implications of the results were examined.     

National character and rates of suicide and homicide

Hofstede's personality scores for workers in 50 nations were not associated with national homicide rates in 1980. Suicide rates were, however, negatively associated with power-distance scores.     

Age-adjusted rates of suicide and homicide and fluoride

Using state data from 1992 and 2000 instead of 1975, the author both confirmed and extended Lester's 1987 study. Like Lester's study, the present replication showed for 1992 (but not 2000) that the more people drinking fluoridated water, the lower the rates of crude and age-adjusted suicide (partial rs: -.25 and -.25, respectively). Crude and age-adjusted rates of homicide in 1992 and 2000 did not change with the fluoridation of public water. Effective interpretation requires more study.     

Nations' rated individualism and suicide and homicide rates

Individualism ratings for 27 nations were not associated with suicide or homicide rates after controls for per capita gross domestic product.     

National estimates of IQ and suicide and homicide rates

Nations with high estimated mean IQ scores had higher suicide rates and lower homicide rates after control for gross domestic product was introduced, significantly in 1970 but not in 1980.     

Correlates of age-adjusted national homicide rates

In 1980, the correlates of unadjusted and age-adjusted national homicide rates differed, so the age-structure of nations should be controlled for in cross-national studies.     

Steven Stack's ecological research on suicide applied to homicide

In a sample of 72 nations in 1980, birth rates proved to be the strongest predictor of national homicide rates.     

Juvenile homicide: A growing national problem

Arrests for juvenile homicide more than doubled from 1984 to 1991. The present study examined offense characteristics for a national sample of 2,400 juvenile homicide offenders listed in the FBI Supplemental Homicide Reports for 1984 or 1991. Analyses indicate that the largest increases in juvenile homicide can be found among minority males using handguns to kill acquaintances. Juvenile homicides committed in the course of another crime (such as robbery or drug deal) have increased over 200%, while homicides precipitated by an interpersonal conflict with the victim have increased 83%. In comparison to adults, juvenile homicide offenders are much more likely to use a handgun and to act with an accomplice. These results highlight the association between handguns and juvenile homicide.     

Collectivism and rates of personal violence (suicide and homicide)

Homicide rates, but not suicide rates, were associated with an index of collectivism for the states of America in 1992.     

Correlates of rates of suicide and homicide committed by different methods

The social correlates of suicide rates by each method over time in the USA from 1950 to 1985 were very different, suggesting that suicides by different methods may not be sociologically identical behaviors. Homicide rates by each method, however, showed a more consistent pattern of social correlates.     

Relationship of IQ to suicide and homicide rate: an international perspective

IQs were correlated with the z score of suicide rate minus z score of homicide rate using nine regions of the world--established market economies, formerly socialized Europe, India, China, other Asian nations, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, Middle East Crescent, and the USA. Correlations were .85 and .83 with crude rates and age-adjusted rates, respectively. The homicide findings are consistent with previous research in individual countries showing that less intelligent persons commit homicide more often. However, the present findings of a positive correlation between IQ and suicide rates are the opposite of what has been found in the more definitive studies within countries. Explanations for the apparent paradox and for the findings more generally were offered.     

Lyrics of national anthems and suicide rates

The suicide rates of 18 European nations were associated with the proportion of sad words in the lyrics of their national anthems as well as the gloominess of the music. It is suggested that a possible suicide prevention tactic might involve changing the music and lyrics of national anthems.     

Association of national cancer mortality and suicide rates

Using WHO data from 1996 instead of 1990, the authors replicated and extended Knodrichin and Lester's 2001 study. Like their study, our total rates of cancer mortality and suicide in a similar sample of 37 European nations of the world were estimated to be positively associated.     

Body Mass Index, suicide, and homicide among inhabitants of the Caribbean Islands

To test the hypothesis that the more overweight and obese a nation, as measured by Body Mass Index, the greater the risk of suicide; mean scores of Body Mass Index for males and females over 15 years of age in 11 Caribbean Islands were not associated with either male or female rates of suicide or homicide with one exception, i.e., when controlling for gross domestic product per capita, mean Body Mass Indices for males were significantly and negatively associated with male rate of homicide.