Birth month and suicidal and depressive symptoms in Australians born in the Southern vs. the Northern hemisphere.
To test whether Australians in utero during the Southern hemisphere flu peak would show increased suicidal and depressive symptoms, as would those born in the Northern hemisphere and who were in utero during the Northern hemisphere flu peak. A sample of 2514 adolescents and young adults presenting to general practitioners completed measures of depressive and suicidal symptoms. Patients' date and country of birth were recorded. Those born in the Southern hemisphere in September-November showed the highest suicidal and depressive symptoms, as did those born in the Northern hemisphere in March-May. Season of birth may be a risk factor for depressive and suicidal symptoms.
Joiner
Thomas E
TE
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1270, USA. joiner@psy.fsu.edu
Pfaff
Jon J
JJ
Acres
John G
JG
Johnson
Frank
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019371:Topography, Medical; D000092864:Suicide Prevention