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National intelligence, suicide rate, and subjective well-being
1Department of Basic Psychological Research, School of Psychology, University of Vienna, Liebiggasse 5, Rm 03-46, A-1010 Vienna, Austria. martin.voracek@univie.ac.at
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|February 25, 2010
Summary
National intelligence estimates show that cognitive ability predicts suicide prevalence across 73 countries. This finding highlights the role of cognitive factors in understanding global suicide rate variations.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Subjective well-being, encompassing life satisfaction, happiness, and unhappiness, is often studied in relation to suicide.
- Existing research suggests a link between cognitive ability and suicide prevalence at an aggregate level.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive contributions of subjective well-being facets on suicide rate variance.
- To examine the role of cognitive ability as an ecologic correlate of suicide prevalence globally.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of national intelligence estimates from 73 countries.
- Statistical modeling to assess variance in male and female suicide rates.
- Inclusion of cognitive and hedonic aspects of subjective well-being in predictive models.
Main Results:
- National intelligence estimates predicted significant increments in the variance of male and female suicide rates.
- These increments were observed over and above the predictive contributions of subjective well-being facets.
- Cognitive ability emerged as a significant ecologic correlate of suicide prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive ability is an important ecologic correlate of suicide prevalence.
- Factors beyond subjective well-being contribute to variations in global suicide rates.
- Further research into cognitive factors influencing suicide is warranted.
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