title: Social capital and suicide: an ecological study in Tokyo, Japan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to clarify the association between area-based social capital and suicide rate among municipalities of Tokyo.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study areas were 20 administrative municipalities of Tokyo. Social capital (i.e., organizational membership, social trust, fairness, helpfulness, and confidence in organizations) was measured based on data from a previous survey (response rate 28 %). Gender-specific age-adjusted suicide rates averaged over 5 years, sociodemographic, and other area characteristics were obtained from relevant national statistics. Multiple linear regression analysis of suicide rates was applied on each social capital variable, adjusting for the other area characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant crude Pearson's correlation between any social capital variable and suicide rate. Multiple regression analyses revealed a significant negative association between social trust and suicide rate for men (p = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While based on only limited evidence from a cross-sectional ecological study, area-based social trust may be associated with decreased suicide rates for men in Tokyo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. okamoto510@gmail.com
authors.forename: Masumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Okamoto
authors.forename: Norito
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kawakami
authors.forename: Yoshifumi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kido
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakurai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014041:Tokyo; D055815:Young Adult