close this window
Suicide Rate Linked to High Unemployment
A new study finds a strong relationship between a nation’s unemployment rate and the percentage of its citizens who take their own lives. But surprisingly, the link can be either positive or negative, depending upon the wealth of the individual country.
In the Journal of Economic Psychology, Korean economist Yong-Hwan Noh of Seoul Women’s University examines the relationship between joblessness and suicide rates in 24 nations over 22 years. Examining data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development covering the years 1980 to 2002, he compared suicide rates with a variety of socioeconomic indicators.
After controlling for a number of variables, including the size of expenditures for the unemployed and the level of alcohol consumption, Noh discovered that “unemployment does significantly affect suicide rates, but in a way that varies for income: In a positive manner for high-income countries, but in a negative manner for low-income countries.”
“If everybody is poor, losing a job for a while is not as much of a stigma as losing a job where everybody else is very successful,” he writes. “This seems to fit the results of the happiness literature, where happiness is affected more by one’s sense of relative income than by absolute income.”
Among Noh’s other findings:
• The suicide rate for men was, on average, 3.14 times higher than that for women. The male suicide rate was higher than the female rate in all of the 24 countries he examined.
• Finland and Austria had the highest suicide rates of the nations he looked at, while such southern European nations as Greece, Spain and Italy had comparatively low rates.
• The suicide rate spiked dramatically in Ireland and Korea during the period he examined. Both nations experienced major economic growth during that time frame. Noh notes that, in general, “higher income is associated with higher suicide rates.”
Noh also found a link between higher suicide rates and nations with a) a larger elderly population, and b) a higher percentage of women in the work force. Taken together, these results suggest mental health professionals in the U.S. need to be particularly vigilant as the unemployment rate increases.
Sign up for our free e-newsletter.
Are you on Facebook? Become our fan.
Follow us on Twitter.
word on the street
more in this section
Gender Wage Gap Skewed By Survey Flaws
‘Orcas as Slaves’ Argument Sinks
The Perceived Delicacy of the Female Conductor
Prop Planes: The Future of Eco-Friendly Aviation?
House Puts Transportation in Partisan Crossfire
A Perennial Epicenter, Now for Same-Sex Marriage
Prop 8 May Be Same-Sex Couples’ Least Worry
EarthScope: A Seismic Shift in Data Gathering
Pressure to Conform Can Inspire Creativity
Learning to Read When a School System Falters
also by this author
Tom JacobsStaff writer Tom Jacobs is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years experience at daily newspapers. He has served as a staff writer for The Lo...
Children’s Books Increasingly Ignore Natural WorldA survey of award-winning children’s picture books from 1938 to 2008 suggests our increasing estrangement from the natural environment.
Women Eye Dance Moves to Find Thrill SeekersHow to spot thrill-seeking men on the dance floor, “sweet” personalities in public, and bidding fever on eBay.
Morning People May Be More Creative in the AfternoonNew research finds problems that require a flash of illumination to solve are best approached during the time of day when you’re not at your peak.
Does Black History Need More Than a Month?The documentary “More Than a Month” asks: Does Black History Month still inspire reflection, or just Nike sales?
We’re Sorry: Not All Apologies Are ApologiesPoliticians take note: Research shows the fine line between claiming regret and taking responsibility.
Receive 1 year (6 issues) of our print magazine for just $14.95. Miller-McCune features polished, in-depth reports on research and solutions across the policy spectrum — from health care, education and energy to international affairs, poverty and the global economy. It's a must read for well-informed and solutions-driven individuals.
follow us on:
join our newsletter:
from the source
A lot of people say they watch the Super Bowl mostly for the ads. But it turns out a good game surrounding those ads makes them seem better.
After decades of obstacles hindering the voting process, new laws will allow overseas and military voters to submit their votes in time for the 2012 election.
World health leaders announce coordinated push to eradicate or control neglected tropical diseases.
Rather than moaning about too many cars on the road, the Ridesharing Institute says the real key to battling traffic congestion and pollution is filling empty passenger seats.
Various ways of assigning numbers to events, people, and actions is an ancient parlor game, but let’s not take it beyond that.
