title: Direct effect of sunshine on suicide.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It has been observed that suicidal behavior is influenced by sunshine and follows a seasonal pattern. However, seasons bring about changes in several other meteorological factors and a seasonal rhythm in social behavior may also contribute to fluctuations in suicide rates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of sunshine on suicide incidence that are independent of seasonal variation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of data on all officially confirmed suicides in Austria between January 1, 1970, and May 6, 2010 (n = 69 462). Data on the average duration of sunshine per day (in hours) were calculated from 86 representative meteorological stations. Daily number of suicides and daily duration of sunshine were differentiated to remove variation in sunshine and variation in suicide incidence introduced by season. Thereafter, several models based on Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Correlation of daily number of suicides and daily duration of sunshine after mathematically removing the effects of season.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sunshine hours and number of suicides on every day from January 1, 1970, to May 6, 2010, were highly correlated (r = 0.4870; P < 10-9). After differencing for the effects of season, a mathematical procedure that removes most of the variance from the data, a positive correlation between number of suicides and hours of daily sunshine remained for the day of suicide and up to 10 days prior to suicide (rmaximum = 0.0370; P < 10-5). There was a negative correlation between the number of suicides and daily hours of sunshine for the 14 to 60 days prior to the suicide event (rminimum = -0.0383; P < 10-5). These effects were found in the entire sample and in violent suicides.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Duration of daily sunshine was significantly correlated with suicide frequency independent of season, but effect sizes were low. Our data support the hypothesis that sunshine on the day of suicide and up to 10 days prior to suicide may facilitate suicide. More daily sunshine 14 to 60 days previously is associated with low rates of suicide. Our study also suggests that sunshine during this period may protect against suicide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vyssoki
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Nestor D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Kapusta
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Praschak-Rieder
authors.affiliation: Section for Artificial Intelligence, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dorffner
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Matthaeus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Willeit
mesh_terms: D001317:Austria / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention