Dataset Information

Criminalisation of suicide and suicide rates: an ecological study of 171 countries in the world.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

In the last half of the 20th century, many countries have already abolished antisuicide laws; however, more than 20 countries still adopt them. This paper is the first to systematically explore the association between criminalisation of suicide and national suicide rates in 171 countries/regions to examine the deterring effects of the antisuicide laws.

Design

A cross-sectional ecological study.

Setting

171 countries in the world.

Participants

In 2012, 25 countries were identified to carry antisuicide laws. A linear regression analysis was adopted to explore the association between national suicide rates (log transformed) and criminalisation of suicide in the world in 2012, having controlled for the Human Development Index (HDI), majority religious affiliations and the national unemployment rate.

Main outcome measure

Sex-specific age standardised suicide mortality rates.

Results

Criminalisation of suicide was associated with slightly increased national suicide rates (β estimate=0.29, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.61). Stronger association was found in women (β estimate=0.40, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.74), connecting criminalisation of suicide and higher suicide rates. The harmful effect of antisuicide laws on women was particularly prominent in non-Muslim countries and countries with lower HDI.

Conclusions

Laws penalising suicide were associated with higher national suicide rates and even more so in the female population in the low HDI, non-Muslim countries. The non-supportive patriarchal culture with laws penalising suicide may render women vulnerable to suicidality. Instead of criminalising suicide, alternative approaches such as providing good mental healthcare and adjusting the socioeconomic, legal and cultural factors that contribute to suicide should be considered.

SUBMITTER: Wu KC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8860012 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Criminalisation of suicide and suicide rates: an ecological study of 171 countries in the world.

Wu Kevin Chien-Chang KC Cai Ziyi Z Chang Qingsong Q Chang Shu-Sen SS Yip Paul Siu Fai PSF Chen Ying-Yeh YY

BMJ open 20220217 2

<h4>Objective</h4>In the last half of the 20th century, many countries have already abolished antisuicide laws; however, more than 20 countries still adopt them. This paper is the first to systematically explore the association between criminalisation of suicide and national suicide rates in 171 countries/regions to examine the deterring effects of the antisuicide laws.<h4>Design</h4>A cross-sectional ecological study.<h4>Setting</h4>171 countries in the world.<h4>Participants</h4>In 2012, 25 co ...[more]

PMID: 35177441

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Dataset Information

Criminalisation of suicide and suicide rates: an ecological study of 171 countries in the world.

Objective

Design

Setting

Participants

Main outcome measure

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Criminalisation of suicide and suicide rates: an ecological study of 171 countries in the world.

Similar Datasets

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