Suicide Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Suicide, including details on depression, causes, prevention, treatment, help.

Association between daily environmental temperature and suicide mortality in Korea (2001-2005).

Kim Y, Kim H, Kim DS

Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-724, Republic of Korea.

Little attention has been paid to whether temperature is associated with suicide and to whether suicide seasonality appears in Asian countries as shown in Western countries, even though suicide rates in Korea have increased steadily. The goal of the present study was to examine the association between daily temperature and daily suicide rate in Korea, taking gender, age, and education level into account. Data were analyzed using a generalized additive model, adjusting for confounding factors such as sunshine, relative humidity, holidays, and long-term trends. Suicide rates were higher in spring and summer than other seasons. We observed a 1.4% increase (95% confidence interval=1.0-1.7%) in suicide with each 1°C-increase in daily mean temperature. The suicide risks related to the temperature for males, elderly people, and those with less education were higher than for females, younger people, and those with more education, respectively. These findings have confirmed that temperature is associated with suicide in Korea and further our understanding of more susceptible groups, the effects of gender, age, and education level. Therefore, temperature, one of the meteorological factors, is an important risk factor on suicide.

Published 11 March 2011 in Psychiatry Res, 186(2): 390-6.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

Articles on Suicide published 11 March 2011:

Life events as precipitants of suicide attempts among first-time suicide attempters, repeaters, and non-attempters.   Psychiatry Res, 186(2): 300-5.

The aims of this study were to investigate risk factors for suicide attempts and propose a model explaining the associations among life events and suicide status. We assessed 263 subjects admitted following a suicide attempt to the Division of Psychiatry of the Department of Neurosciences of the University of Parma and compared them with 263 non-attempter clinical control subjects. Attempters reported significantly more adverse life events both in the last 6 months, and between the ages of 0-15 ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Functional promoter polymorphism of the neuronal isoform of tryptophan hydroxylase (Tph2) in suicide.   Psychiatry Res, 186(2): 446-7.

The association between suicide and G-703T polymorphism of the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter serotonin, was studied in a sample of 291 suicide victims and 280 healthy subjects of Croatian origin. No significant differences were found between the groups. Obtained results do not support involvement of the investigated polymorphism in the susceptibility to suicide completion. [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Suicide published 4 March 2011:

Narrative verdicts and their impact on mortality statistics in England and Wales.   Health Stat Q.

[Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Suicide published 28 February 2011:

Re-examination of the seasonality of suicide in Taiwan during 1991-2008: a population-based study.   Psychiatry Res, 186(1): 147-9.

The purpose of the present study was to re-examine the monthly distribution of suicide death rates and the change of the suicide seasonality in Taiwan during 1991-2008. The monthly suicide death rates of the total, male and female populations during January 1991-December 2008 were obtained from a population-based database. There was an upward trend. The means of the monthly suicide rates after adjusting the calendar effect and the upward trend were compared. The suicide data were further ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Suicide published 24 February 2011:

Gender differences on documented trauma histories: inpatients admitted to a military psychiatric unit for suicide-related thoughts or behaviors.   J Nerv Ment Dis, 199(3): 183-90.

Suicide is a leading cause of death among men and women in the United States Military. Using a retrospective chart review design, the current study investigated gender differences on documented traumas for people admitted to a military inpatient psychiatric unit for suicide-related thoughts or behaviors (N = 656). Men more often had no documented lifetime traumas and women more often had 2 or more trauma types. Women had significantly more documented incidences of childhood sexual abuse, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Suicide published 1 February 2011:

Childhood physical abuse, aggression, and suicide attempts among criminal offenders.   Psychiatry Res, 185(3): 363-7.

Childhood physical abuse (CPA) has numerous short and long-term negative effects. One of the most serious consequences of CPA is an increased risk for suicide attempts. Clarifying the mechanisms by which CPA increases risk for suicidal behavior may enhance preventive interventions. One potential mechanism is a tendency toward aggression. In a sample of 266 criminal offenders, ages 18-62, we examined the relationships among CPA, lifetime aggression, and suicide attempts and tested lifetime ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Suicide published 18 January 2011:

Homicide, suicide, and unintentional firearm fatality: comparing the United States with other high-income countries, 2003.   J Trauma, 70(1): 238-43.

[Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Suicide published 13 January 2011:

Suicidal ideation, mental health problems, and social impairment are increased in adolescents with acne: a population-based study.   J Invest Dermatol, 131(2): 363-70.

We performed a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study to explore the relationship of suicidal ideation, mental health problems, and social functioning to acne severity among adolescents aged 18-19 years. A total of 4,744 youth were invited and 3,775 (80%) participated. In all, 14% reported having substantial acne (a lot and very much). Among those with very much acne, as compared those with no/little acne, suicidal ideation was twice as frequently reported among girls (25.5 vs. 11.9%) and ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

© 2004-2011 Suicide Research Today. All Rights Reserved.