Epidemiology of Youth Suicide in Israel

Kohn, Robert; Levav, Itzhak; Chang, Belle; Halperin, Batja; Zadka, Pnina

doi:10.1097/00004583-199711000-00015

Cited by 9 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Accordingly, suicide rates in Israel are consistently lower than those found in most countries in Europe and North America, in the range of many South and Central American countries, and higher in comparison to Muslim countries in Asia and North-Africa. In keeping with these findings, the suicide rates of Israeli Jews are mostly considerably higher than those of Israeli Arabs [10,[21][22][23]. These findings likely reflect the inclination of Judaism to negate suicide to a greater extent than Christianity, but to a lesser extant than the Islam [2,10,22].…”

Section: Suicide In the General Jewish Israeli Populationmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…Israeli Jews of non-Ashkenazi descent tend to attempt suicide to a greater extent, particularly with respect to repeated attempts, in comparison to Ashkenazi Jews [10,22,28]. The higher rate of repeated suicide attempts among individuals of Asian/North African descent may reflect their tendency to express emotions and frustrations more openly, including the use of behavioral channels.…”

Section: Suicide In the General Jewish Israeli Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Several factors may account for the relatively low suicide rate in Israel, in addition to the influence of Judaism [10,22]. Thus, the tendency towards secularization, likely increasing the risk of suicide, is more pronounced in Western industrialized countries than in Middle-Eastern or North African countries [24,25].…”

Section: Suicide In the General Jewish Israeli Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A low suicide rate is also found in Jewish Israeli adolescents [22,27]. The average rate of suicide between 1975-1989 for 15-19 years old Israeli Jewish males (5.3/100,000) and females (1.9/100,000) has been among the lowest in the world [22].…”

Section: Suicide In the General Jewish Israeli Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The average rate of suicide between 1975-1989 for 15-19 years old Israeli Jewish males (5.3/100,000) and females (1.9/100,000) has been among the lowest in the world [22]. The suicide rate for 15-17 years old for the years 1990-2008, fluctuating between 2.7-5.7/100,000 for males and 1.8-3.0/100,000 for females, is still considered low in comparison to most European countries [21].…”

Section: Suicide In the General Jewish Israeli Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Suicide in Judaism with a Special Emphasis on Modern Israel

Witztum

Stein

2012

Religions

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Judaism considers the duty of preserving life as a paramount injunction. Specific injunctions against suicide appear in the Bible, Talmud, and thereafter. Nevertheless, Jewish tradition emphasizes that one should let himself be killed rather than violate cardinal rules of Jewish law. Mitigating circumstances are found for the six deaths by suicide mentioned in the Bible, for example to account for one's sins, or avoid shameful death. Heroic suicide is praised throughout the Jewish history, from the suicide of Samson and the collective suicide in Masada, to the collective readiness of Jews in Medieval times and during the Holocaust to kill themselves rather than succumb to their enemies. Suicide rates for Jews are lower than those of Protestants and Catholics. Similarly, suicide rates in Israel are lower in comparison to Europe and North America, although being higher than those in most Moslem Asian and North African countries. This low rate of suicide is found in Jewish Israelis of all ages, including in adolescents. Elevated suicidal risk may be found in specific sub-populations, including male Israeli soldiers, immigrants from the former USSR and Ethiopia, in particular adolescent immigrants from the former USSR, elderly Holocaust survivors, and young Israel-Arab women. The meaning of these findings is discussed according to different socio-cultural perspectives. 726"Of all religions, Judaism counts the fewest suicides, yet in none other is education so general . . . But if the Jew manages to be both well instructed and very disinclined to suicide, it is because of the special origin of his desire for knowledge. It is a general law that religious minorities, in order to protect themselves better against the hate to which they are exposed, or merely through a sort of emulation, try to surpass in knowledge the population surrounding them . . . Primitive in certain respects, in others [the Jew] is an intellectual and man of culture. He thus combines the advantages of the severe discipline characteristic of small and ancient groups, with the benefits of the intense culture enjoyed by our great society. He has all the intelligence of modern man without sharing his despair" [1].

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Section: Suicide In the General Jewish Israeli Populationmentioning

confidence: 76%

Section: Suicide In the General Jewish Israeli Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Suicide In the General Jewish Israeli Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Suicide In the General Jewish Israeli Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Suicide In the General Jewish Israeli Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Suicide in Judaism with a Special Emphasis on Modern Israel

Witztum

Stein

2012

Religions

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Completed suicide and suicide attempts in the Arab population in Israel

Klomek

Nakash

Goldberger

et al. 2016

Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol

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Completed suicide and suicide attempts among four Arab groups defined by religious affiliation in Israel: Bedouins, Muslims (other than Bedouin), Christians and Druze were investigated using national databases of suicide (1999-2011), and suicide attempts (2004-2012). Age specific and age-adjusted rates and ratio of suicides to suicidal behavior were calculated, and compared with the total Israeli population rates. Age-adjusted suicide rates were lowest among the non-Bedouin Muslims, 2.5, followed in ascending order by Bedouins, 3.2, and Christian Arabs, 3.3 per 100,000 population, respectively. The highest rate was found among the Druze, 8.7, per 100,000 population, particularly for young males. The rates among the Arab groups were lower than for the total Israeli population, 7.9 per 100,000 population, except for the Druze. The pattern of suicide rates by gender, higher for males than females, was similar in all groups. The rates among the Arab Israelis were highest for the 15-24 year old age group, while in the total population the rates increased with age. Age-adjusted suicide attempt rates were higher amongst non-Bedouin Muslims, 84.8 per 100,000 population, followed by the Bedouin, 72.4; Druze. 64.9; and lowest among Christian Arabs, 58.6, all per 100,000 population. In the total Israeli population, the rate was even higher, 89.8 per 100,000 population. Suicide attempt rates were higher for women in all groups, except among the Druze. Rates were higher in most groups for ages 15-24. In this age group, the rates for female Muslims and Bedouins and for male Druze were higher than among the total population. Arab elderly had low rates of both suicide and suicide attempts. The ratio of suicides to suicide attempts increased with age for all groups, except for the Christian Arabs. It was markedly higher for the Druze, compared to 7.3 % for the total population for ages 15 and over. Findings highlight the importance of investigating the differential distribution of suicidal behavior by specific ethno-religious groups.

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