Exploration of factors related to hara-kiri as a method of suicide and suicidal behavior.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to explore factors associated with hara-kiri as a method of suicide and suicidal behavior in contemporary Japan.


METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted on medical records of 421 patients (174 male; 247 female) who were considered suicidal and treated at the Kitasato University Hospital Emergency Medical Center in Japan between January 2006 and March 2008. We compared hara-kiri and all other methods regarding sociodemographics and clinical features of all suicidal patients.


RESULTS
Instances of hara-kiri suicide attempt had the highest proportion of males (63%) among all suicide and suicidal behavior. One-way analysis of variance revealed significant differences between hara-kiri and other suicide attempt methods in the age of the suicidal patients. Result of multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that those who attempted hara-kiri suicide were likely to be male, be diagnosed with schizophrenia, survive, and be married.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that hara-kiri as a method of suicide and suicidal behavior remains prevalent in Japan, and the study findings also suggest that both clinical and cultural factors might play a role in hara-kiri as a method of suicide and suicidal behavior.
Takai
M
M
Department of Medical Psychology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kitasato University, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
Yamamoto
K
K
Iwamitsu
Y
Y
Miyaji
S
S
Yamamoto
H
H
Tatematsu
S
S
Yukawa
M
M
Ide
A
A
Kamijo
Y
Y
Soma
K
K
Miyaoka
H
H
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008499:Medical Records; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*