TY - JOUR
T1 - Association of secular trends in unemployment with suicide in Taiwan, 1959-2007
T2 - A time-series analysis
AU - Chang, S. S.
AU - Sterne, J. A C
AU - Huang, W. C.
AU - Chuang, H. L.
AU - Gunnell, D.
PY - 2010/1
Y1 - 2010/1
N2 - Objective: Despite the wealth of research investigating the association of unemployment
with suicide in the West, few studies have investigated the association in non-Western
countries. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between secular trends in
unemployment and suicide in Taiwan.
Study design: Time-series analysis.
Methods: Overall and age-specific suicide rates (1959–2007) for Taiwanese men and women
aged 15 years or above were calculated from national population and mortality statistics.
The association of secular trends in unemployment with suicide was investigated graphically
and using time-series modelling (Prais-Winsten regression).
Results: Rises in unemployment were associated with an increase in male suicide rates, but
evidence for an association in females was limited. In the model controlling for changes in
gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, GDP growth, divorce and female labour force
participation, for every 1% rise in unemployment, male suicide rates increased by 3.1 (95%
confidence interval 1.4–4.8) per 100,000. There is no evidence for a difference in the
strength of association between men of different ages.
Conclusion: Trends in suicide, particularly for adult males, appear to be influenced by
unemployment. The results have implications for suicide prevention, in particular for
societies facing acute rises in unemployment during recessions.
AB - Objective: Despite the wealth of research investigating the association of unemployment
with suicide in the West, few studies have investigated the association in non-Western
countries. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between secular trends in
unemployment and suicide in Taiwan.
Study design: Time-series analysis.
Methods: Overall and age-specific suicide rates (1959–2007) for Taiwanese men and women
aged 15 years or above were calculated from national population and mortality statistics.
The association of secular trends in unemployment with suicide was investigated graphically
and using time-series modelling (Prais-Winsten regression).
Results: Rises in unemployment were associated with an increase in male suicide rates, but
evidence for an association in females was limited. In the model controlling for changes in
gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, GDP growth, divorce and female labour force
participation, for every 1% rise in unemployment, male suicide rates increased by 3.1 (95%
confidence interval 1.4–4.8) per 100,000. There is no evidence for a difference in the
strength of association between men of different ages.
Conclusion: Trends in suicide, particularly for adult males, appear to be influenced by
unemployment. The results have implications for suicide prevention, in particular for
societies facing acute rises in unemployment during recessions.
KW - Suicide
KW - Taiwan
KW - Time-series analysis
KW - Unemployment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=76449102100&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.puhe.2009.11.005
DO - 10.1016/j.puhe.2009.11.005
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
C2 - 20003993
SN - 1476-5616
VL - 124
SP - 49
EP - 54
JO - Public Health
JF - Public Health
IS - 1
ER -