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Citation |
Etzersdorfer E, Voracek M, Sonneck G. Arch. Suicide Res. 2004; 8(2): 137-145. |
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Affiliation |
etzersdorfer@fbkh.org |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2004, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
16006399 |
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Abstract |
Although the Werther effect is well known, up to now a correlation between the differential distribution of particular media reports and subsequent imitational suicides could not be found. This study investigates a celebrity suicide by gun in Austria, which led to extensive reports in the largest Austrian newspaper, whose distribution shows substantial regional differences. The numbers of suicides by firearm in the 3 weeks after the reporting showed an increase over the 3 weeks prior. Regional analysis revealed a strong correlation of suicides by firearm and distribution of the newspaper (log odds ratios; r(9) = .62; p = .04, one-tailed). This dose-response effect explains 40% of the variability of changes. These results underline the influence of media reports on suicidal behavior. |