Nordic countries have traditionally had fairly high suicide rates compared with other countries. Finland and Sweden are ranked 15th and 31st respectively on a global ranking of suicide rates (WHO, 2011). Each Country’s Government and various health organisations are actively recording suicide data in order to help reduce suicides. In recent decades, several researchers have suggested a link between increasing daily dosages of antidepressants and the falling rates of suicide (Lester, 1971).
Research also shows that there could be a link between suicide rates and the lack of bright light in winter. Around 10% of northern Europeans are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as the ‘winter blues’. SAD can make people feel more depressed in winter months or when sunlight hours are reduced.
This report analyses the distribution of suicides in both Finland and Sweden per month in order to judge the impacts of SAD, and will look at the link between suicides and antidepressant usage. Finland and Sweden have been chosen for this study as they have similar cultures, climate and lie on the same longitude meaning a more reliable comparison can be made.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Methodology, Results and Analysis
2.1 Which month has the highest suicide rate in both Finland and Sweden and does this correlate to what we would expect based on hours of sunlight in the day?
2.2 How has the suicide rate changed over the years in response to changes in antidepressant use?
2.3 Is there a significant correlation between suicide rates and antidepressant dosage?
3. Conclusion
4. Further analysis and limitations
4.1 Data in general
4.2 Correlation between suicides and daily dosage of antidepressants
Research Objectives and Themes
This report investigates the relationship between suicide rates in Finland and Sweden, examining the potential influence of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) through monthly suicide distribution and sunlight exposure, while also analyzing the impact of antidepressant usage on long-term suicide trends.
- Correlation between monthly suicide rates and sunlight hours.
- Comparative analysis of suicide trends in Finland and Sweden.
- Long-term impact of antidepressant consumption on national suicide rates.
- Cross-hemispheric comparison of suicide patterns using data from Chile.
- Evaluation of data limitations regarding suicide recording and causal factors.
Excerpt from the Book
Methodology, Results and Analysis
As the data shows, May has the greatest relative risk of suicides with 1.15 successful suicides for every 1 attempted suicide. Furthermore, as average sunlight hours increases there seems to be a general increase in the relative suicide risk, against what some researchers may expect.
Similarly for Sweden:
The data shows that the relative risk of suicide is highest in May, and that it seems as if the risk of suicide has a positive correlation to the pattern of average sunlight hours.
As Finland and Sweden are on the same longitude and share a similar culture, it would be useful to look at the relationship between sunlight hours and suicide rate in another country in the southern hemisphere, as this would show if indeed suicide correlated with average sunlight hours.
The relationship between sunlight hours and suicide rate is less clear that Finland’s and Sweden’s, however the suicide rate in at the lowest in the spring (May/June), whereas the suicide rate in Finland and Sweden is at it’s highest (possibly due to in the opposite hemisphere)
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter provides context regarding high suicide rates in Nordic countries and introduces the research focus on SAD and antidepressant influence.
Methodology, Results and Analysis: This section presents and interprets data regarding monthly suicide risks relative to sunlight hours and historical trends in antidepressant usage across Finland and Sweden.
Conclusion: The author summarizes the findings, noting similar suicide patterns in both countries and the inconclusive nature of the link between sunlight and suicide risk.
Further analysis and limitations: This chapter discusses methodological constraints, such as data recording errors and the late start of antidepressant sales reporting, which complicate long-term trend analysis.
Keywords
Suicide rates, Finland, Sweden, Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD, Antidepressants, Sunlight hours, Mental health, Relative risk, Correlation analysis, Longitudinal study, Epidemiology, Nordic countries, Public health, Psychiatry
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this study?
The study investigates the factors influencing suicide rates in Finland and Sweden, specifically analyzing the impact of seasonal light variations and the historical consumption of antidepressants.
What are the central themes discussed in the report?
The report centers on epidemiological trends, the potential role of Seasonal Affective Disorder, the efficacy of antidepressant treatment in lowering suicide rates, and the limitations of suicide data recording.
What is the main research question?
The report seeks to determine if there is a significant correlation between monthly suicide rates and sunlight exposure, and whether long-term antidepressant use is linked to falling suicide rates.
Which research methods were employed?
The research uses a quantitative analysis of existing suicide data and antidepressant sales records, utilizing correlation calculations and visual data representations to identify trends.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The body covers monthly suicide risk distributions, longitudinal comparisons of antidepressant dosage vs. suicide rates, and a comparative case study involving data from Chile.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include suicide rates, antidepressant dosage, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Nordic public health, and statistical correlation.
Why were Finland and Sweden selected for this comparison?
The countries were chosen because they share similar cultural backgrounds, climatic conditions, and longitudinal positioning, which allows for a more reliable statistical comparison.
What did the analysis reveal about the relationship between sunlight and suicide?
The data revealed that while there is a pattern, the link is not fully conclusive; interestingly, in Finland and Sweden, the risk of suicide appears to increase alongside average sunlight hours.
How does the author view the correlation between antidepressants and suicide?
The author identifies a strong negative correlation between increasing antidepressant dosage and declining suicide rates, but warns that this does not necessarily prove a causal relationship due to other external factors.
- Quote paper
- Bob Sky (Author), 2012, A Study of Suicides in Finland and Sweden, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/211543
