Changes in the Frequency and Clinical Features of Suicide Attempts in the Midwestern Area of Kanagawa After the Great East Japan Earthquake

• NCJ Number: 246600
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 59 Issue: 2 Dated: March 2014 Pages: 417-419
• Author(s): Koji Kato M.D.; Katsunaka Mikami Ph.D.; Keitaro Kimoto M.D.; Kousuke Kimoto M.D.; Yuki Takahashi M.D.; Reiko Sato M.D.; Hideo Matsumoto Ph.D.
• Date Published: March 2014
• Length: 3 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the clinical features of suicide attempts and the Great East Japan earthquake in Kanagawa.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the clinical features of suicide attempts and the Great East Japan earthquake in Kanagawa. We enrolled 592 patients who attempted suicide and were hospitalized for inpatient treatment. Clinical features were compared between before the earthquake A and after the earthquake B groups. The number of suicide attempts increased from 286 to 306. The rate of increase in suicide attempts in men was the highest in the age group of 40-59 years. The frequency of joblessness, family psychiatric histories, precipitating event, and alcohol intake at suicide attempt was significantly higher in the B group than in the A group. The number of patients in serious condition in the B group was significantly higher than that in the A group. Other clinical features related to suicide in people who were indirectly affected by the earthquake disaster should be investigated to develop targeted prevention strategies. Abstract published by arrangement with Wiley.