The influence of media reporting of a celebrity suicide on suicidal behavior in patients with a history of depressive disorder.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have directly assessed the impact of a specific media report in vulnerable people. This study investigates possible influences of media reporting of a celebrity suicide on subsequent suicidal behaviors and associated risk factors among depressive patients.


METHODS
Depressive patients (N=461) were assessed through a structured interview soon after extensive media reporting of a celebrity suicide.


RESULTS
Among 438 depressive patients exposed to the media report, 38.8% reported an influence on subsequent suicidal behaviors, including 24 (5.5%) with a suicide attempt. The risk of such influence was highest among patients in a severe depressive state just prior to the media report (adjusted OR 7.81, 95% CI 3.28-18.59). Such influence on a subsequent suicide attempt was highest in patients with a most recent suicide attempt within one month prior to the media reports (adjusted hazard ratio 11.91, 95% CI 3.76-37.72).


CONCLUSIONS
Our finding of the significant media influence may reflect adverse thoughts among more suicidal and depressed individuals. The possible influence of other factors on the findings cannot be ruled out.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has provided more convincing evidence suggesting negative influences of media reporting of a celebrity suicide on subsequent suicidal behaviors among depressive patients. Particular attention in terms of potential negative media influences should be paid to patients who are younger and currently depressed and have made a recent suicide attempt.
Cheng
Andrew T A
AT
Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. bmandrew@gate.sinica.edu.tw
Hawton
Keith
K
Chen
Tony H H
TH
Yen
Amy M F
AM
Chang
Jung-Chen
JC
Chong
Mian-Yoon
MY
Liu
Chia-Yih
CY
Lee
Yu
Y
Teng
Po-Ren
PR
Chen
Lin-Chen
LC
D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005197:Famous Persons; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009524:Newspapers as Topic; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011336:Probability; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013624:Taiwan; D013690:Television; D000092864:Suicide Prevention