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Monthly and Seasonal Variation in Parasuicide

A Sex Difference

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

George Masterton*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 4 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh

Abstract

In a total of 22 169 parasuicides over 19 years, there was evidence for a seasonal cycle in parasuicide admissions among women, with an increase during the summer and a fall over the winter, including a pronounced December nadir. Further analysis of the winter trough suggests a sociological explanation, the focal point being Christmas. There was no evidence for monthly or seasonal variation among men.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1991 

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