“Death by economic crisis”: Suicide and self-inflicted injury in the European Union (Eu15) during the worst of times

Can socioeconomic fluctuations explain variations in European Union suicide mortality? To answer this question, we investigate the effect of socioeconomic and demographic factors on (agespecific) male and female suicide rates using a fixed-effects technique and panel data for 15 EU countries, over a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Society and economy 2019-03, Vol.41 (1), p.145-164
Main Authors: Ferreira, Ernesto R, Monteiro, João D, Pires Manso, José R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Demographic aspects
Economic aspects
Economic crisis
Europe
Financial crises
Mortality
Social aspects
Socio-Economic Research
Suicide
Suicides & suicide attempts
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Summary:Can socioeconomic fluctuations explain variations in European Union suicide mortality? To answer this question, we investigate the effect of socioeconomic and demographic factors on (agespecific) male and female suicide rates using a fixed-effects technique and panel data for 15 EU countries, over a time period that leads up to, coincides with, and follows the recession of 2008. The findings show that suicide rates for young and working-age populations are more sensitive to general economic conditions than suicide rates for other age groups, and that male suicide behavior is more responsive than female behavior. In this setting, suicide rates are likely to be higher in countries with lower income, higher unemployment, higher divorce rates, and, most importantly, weaker systems of social protection. Our results, however, raise serious doubts about government involvement in crisis-related mental illness prevention and mental health promotion.
ISSN:1588-9726
1588-970X
DOI:10.1556/204.2019.41.1.9