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Modelling and suicide: a test of the Werther effect
1Department of Psychology, University of Tübingen, Germany.
The British Journal of Social Psychology
|December 1, 1992
Summary
News about prominent suicides may lead to an increase in overall suicide rates, suggesting a potential imitative effect. This study examined suicide frequencies in Germany following publicized prominent suicides.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Media coverage of suicides, particularly of public figures, raises concerns about potential contagion effects.
- Understanding the relationship between publicized suicides and subsequent suicide rates is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether media reports on the suicides of prominent individuals are associated with an increase in overall suicide frequencies.
- To examine the potential for an imitative effect following publicized suicides.
Main Methods:
- Quasi-experimental analysis of daily suicide frequencies in Baden-Württemberg, Germany (1968-1980).
- Time series regression analysis correlating suicide data with publicized prominent suicides in major newspapers.
Main Results:
- A significant or marginally significant increase in suicide frequencies was observed in the week following news of prominent suicides.
- The findings suggest a potential imitative effect, though alternative explanations were considered.
Conclusions:
- The study provides evidence consistent with the hypothesis that publicized suicides of prominent persons can trigger an imitative effect.
- Further research is warranted to explore the nuances of suicide contagion and media influence.