%0 Journal Article
%T Association of meteorological factors with suicide
%J Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica
%D 2003
%A Deisenhammer, E. A.
%A Kemmler, G.
%A Parson, P.
%V 108
%N 6
%P 455-459
%X OBJECTIVE: To identify weather factors associated with an increased risk of suicide. In a number of prior studies an influence of meteorological conditions on the incidence of suicide or attempted suicide has been suggested. METHOD: Official data on the suicide cases of the state of Tyrol, Austria, assessed over a period of 6 years (n = 702) were correlated with a number of meteorological factors assessed at eight weather stations. RESULTS: The risk of committing suicide was significantly higher on days with high temperatures, low relative humidity or a thunderstorm and on days following a thunderstorm. The multiple logistic regression analysis left "temperature" and "thunderstorm on the preceding day" as significant factors, even after adjustment for sociodemographic and geographical variables. CONCLUSION: Within the interaction of psychological and environmental influences in the development of suicidal ideation and behaviour, specific meteorological conditions may additionally contribute to the risk of suicide in predisposed individuals.<p /><p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I John Wiley and Sons
%@ 0001-690X
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.0001-690x.2003.00219.x