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“Death by Economic Crisis”: Suicide and Self-Infl icted Injury in the European Union (EU15) during the Worst of Times

Author

Listed:
  • Ernesto R. Ferreira

    (Department of Management and Economics, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal)

  • João D. Monteiro

    (Department of Management and Economics, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal)

  • José R. Pires Manso

    (Department of Management and Economics, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal)

Abstract

Can socioeconomic fl uctuations explain variations in European Union suicide mortality? To answer this question, we investigate the effect of socioeconomic and demographic factors on (agespecific) male and female suicide rates using a fixed-effects technique and panel data for 15 EU countries, over a time period that leads up to, coincides with, and follows the recession of 2008. The findings show that suicide rates for young and working-age populations are more sensitive to general economic conditions than suicide rates for other age groups, and that male suicide behavior is more responsive than female behavior. In this setting, suicide rates are likely to be higher in countries with lower income, higher unemployment, higher divorce rates, and, most importantly, weaker systems of social protection. Our results, however, raise serious doubts about government involvement in crisis-related mental illness prevention and mental health promotion.

Suggested Citation

  • Ernesto R. Ferreira & João D. Monteiro & José R. Pires Manso, 2019. "“Death by Economic Crisis”: Suicide and Self-Infl icted Injury in the European Union (EU15) during the Worst of Times," Society and Economy, Akadémiai Kiadó, Hungary, vol. 41(1), pages 145-164, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:aka:soceco:v:41:y:2019:i:1:p:145-164
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    Cited by:

    1. Ernesto R. Ferreira & João D. Monteiro, 2019. "In an Era of Social, Civic and Political Disengagement, do Health Care and Social Welfare Protection Still Matter to Population Health? Evidence from OECD Mortality Data," Society and Economy, Akadémiai Kiadó, Hungary, vol. 41(4), pages 415-432, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    European sovereign debt crisis; socio-economic policy; suicide mortality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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