Related Experiment Videos
A dose-response relationship between imitational suicides and newspaper distribution.
Elmar Etzersdorfer1, Martin Voracek, Gernot Sonneck
1etzersdorfer@fbkh.org
Summary
Extensive media coverage of a celebrity suicide by firearm in Austria correlated with a regional increase in firearm suicides. This study highlights the significant impact of media reporting on imitational suicide rates.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychiatry
- Media Studies
Background:
- The Werther effect, or imitational suicide, is a known phenomenon.
- Previous research has not established a clear link between specific media report distribution and imitational suicides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between media reporting of a celebrity suicide and subsequent firearm suicides.
- To analyze the regional distribution of newspaper coverage and its relationship with suicide rates.
Main Methods:
- Examined firearm suicide data in Austria over a 6-week period (3 weeks before and 3 weeks after a prominent celebrity suicide report).
- Analyzed the regional distribution of the largest Austrian newspaper's circulation.
- Correlated newspaper distribution with changes in firearm suicide numbers using statistical analysis (log odds ratios).
Main Results:
- A notable increase in firearm suicides occurred in the 3 weeks following the media reports.
- A strong positive correlation was found between the regional distribution of the newspaper and firearm suicides.
- This dose-response relationship accounted for 40% of the observed variability in suicide changes.
Conclusions:
- Media reports on celebrity suicides can significantly influence suicidal behavior.
- The distribution of media coverage plays a crucial role in the Werther effect.
- Findings underscore the need for responsible media reporting guidelines regarding suicide.