Temporal variation in parasuicide among Singaporean Chinese

Abstract

The findings may not be amenable to any single explanation but the peak months coincided with the month of the Hungry Ghosts, which is believed to be a particularly inauspicious period, while the trough occurred during a festive period. Similarly, looking at the student population, the peaks coincided with the examination period. It appears that social and cultural factors play a significant role in the temporal variation in parasuicide in Singapore.

Suicide Deaths and Nonfatal Hospital Admissions for Deliberate Self-Harm in the United States

“…The peak in deliberate self-harm on Mondays is a persistent one previously observed in the U.S. with 1973–85 mortality data (McCleary, Chew, Hellsten, & Flynn-Bransford, 1991) and with data from around the world (Polewka, et al, 2004; Eisenbach, Ungur, Unger, Stremmel, & Encke, 2008; Ho, et al, 1998; Nishi, Miyake, Okamoto, Goto, & Sakai, 2000; Durkheim, 1897). Like our study, Bradvick & Berglund (2003) and Erazo, Baumert, Ladwig (2004) also find that the rate of deliberate self-harm is significantly elevated on Tuesdays.…”

“…Similar dampening of the traditional seasonality effect has been observed elsewhere (e.g., Ajdacic-Gross, Bopp, Ring, Gutzwiller, & Rossler, 2010; Hong Kong: Yip & Yang, 2004; Lithuania: Kalediene, Starkuviene, & Petrauskiene, 2006; Slovenia: Oravecz et al, 2006; Poland: Polewka et al, 2004; Wales: Simkin, Hawton, Yip, & Yam, 2003), but not universally (e.g., Romania: Voracek, Vintila, Fisher, & Yip, 2002). Some studies also find quite different seasonal patterns with summer or fall peaks (e.g., Petridou, et al, 2002; Finland: Valtonen et al 2002; Greenland: Björkstén, Kripke, & Bjerregaard, 2009; Italy: Altamura, et al, 1999; Micciolo, Williams, Zimmerman-Tansella, & Tansella, 1991; Singapore: Ho, Kua, & Hong, 1998; Turkey: Doganay et al, 2003; United States: Lester & Frank, 1988). …”

Emotional Climates: Ritual, Seasonality and Affective Disorders

“…As an example of a seasonally linked psychosocial stressor, there is a wellestablished relationship in many industrialized societies between the patterning of holidays and religious festivals and variations in suicide and attempted suicide over the course of the year (Anson & Anson 1997;Ho, Kua & Hong 1998;Jessen & Jensen 1999;Jessen et al 1999;Voracek & Sonneck 1999). Another example is the academic year.…”