NCJ Number
147081
Journal
American Journal of Psychiatry Volume: 150 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1993) Pages: 1380-1385
Date Published
1993
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study investigated seasonality in violent versus nonviolent suicide and homicide in Belgium during the 1979- 1987 period.
Abstract
Reports of all deaths by suicide or homicide were obtained from Belgium's National Institute of Statistics. Deaths were grouped according to five categories: total number of suicides and homicides, total number of suicides, violent suicides, nonviolent suicides, and homicides. A total of 19,943 suicides and 1,462 homicides were identified during the study period. Statistical analysis revealed significant seasonality for suicide but not for homicide. Seasonality was present in violent but not in nonviolent suicide. The number of violent suicides increased with age and was more prominent in men. Violent suicide chromograms of younger and elderly persons were quite distinct in the occurrence of peaks during March-April and August, respectively, and lows in December-January. No significant relationship was found between violent suicide and homicide. The authors conclude that seasonality in suicide is determined by significant circannual rhythms in violent suicides which differ between younger and elderly persons. 39 references, 2 tables, and 1 figure