Effect of some climatic factors on violent and non-violent suicides in Belgium.
We explored the differential effect of some climatic factors such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, sunlight duration and humidity grade on the temporal distribution of violent and non-violent suicides, accidental and undetermined causes of death as well as homicides in Belgium, between 1969 and 1984. Our study indicates that temperature and sunlight duration are specifically associated with the probability of violent suicide, while deaths due to non-violent causes (such as non-violent suicides) did not show any relationship to climatic factors.
Linkowski
P
P
Department of Psychiatry, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.
Martin
F
F
De Maertelaer
V
V
D000059:Accidents / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D002980:Climate; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence; D014887:Weather