Effects of newspaper stories on the incidence of suicide in Australia: a research note

Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 1995 Sep;29(3):480-3. doi: 10.3109/00048679509064957.

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of newspaper stories on the incidence of suicide in Australia. The effects of suicide stories appearing in two major metropolitan newspapers between 1.1.1981 and 31.12.1990 were examined. The findings show that the daily average suicide rate in Australia increases significantly after the publication and publicity of suicide stories in the Australian media; the rise tends to be primarily due to the increase in male suicide and not female suicide. Some plausible explanations of this finding are advanced.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Australia / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Imitative Behavior*
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Newspapers as Topic*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Suicide / psychology
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Suicide Prevention
  • Suicide, Attempted / prevention & control
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology
  • Suicide, Attempted / statistics & numerical data*