[The effect of public holidays on the suicide drive (frequency) in Hungary (1970-2002)].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between suicide frequency and the days of the week and major public holidays in Hungary (1970-2002). The analysis was based on data of approximately 140,000 suicides. The authors intended to examine whether the "broken promise effect" (Gabennesch), which is cited with increasing frequency in the literature, is valid also in Hungary or not.


RESULTS
Suicides occur most frequently on Monday and least on weekends for both males and females. On the days of Christmas and Easter the suicide drive has decreased among males only. The first day of the year is associated with a large increase of suicide risk in both genders, while there appears to be no change in suicide-frequency on the public holidays of 1st May and 20th August.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of our study confirm the validity of the "broken-promise effect" theory also under Hungarian circumstances. It is a very important to know that suicides do not show an increase on and before weekend and public holidays, but after the following day(s). This finding can be an important aspect when preventive measures are adopted.
Bozsonyi
Károly
K
Pazmany Peter Katolikus Egyetem, BTK Szociologiai Intezet, Budapest, Hungary. bozsonyi@yahoo.com
Veres
Elod
E
Zonda
Tamás
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006076:Government; D006693:Holidays / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012067:Religion; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology