J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2015 May;54(2):216-221. 10.4306/jknpa.2015.54.2.216.

Association between Media Reporting and a Lower Suicide Rate in 2012

• Ahn MH
• Lee T
• Sim Y
• Kim SO
• Hong JP

• KMID: 2343901
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2015.54.2.216

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
A recent study conducted by the Korea National Statistical Office (KNSO) reported that the suicide rate in Korea decreased in 2012. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the decrease in suicide rate and media reporting of suicide events.
METHODS
Data on suicide rates were obtained from the KNSO. Correlation between suicide rate and celebrity suicide events, number of media reports on suicide, and suicide searches was compared. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient.
RESULTS
The number of celebrity suicide events and recognition of celebrity decreased in 2012. Pearson's correlation test showed a significant positive correlation between the monthly number of media reports on suicide and the suicide rate (daily newspaper r=0.619, p<0.001 ; broadcast r=0.393, p<0.001). The number of suicide searches showed association with celebrity suicide events.
CONCLUSION
The suicide rate may be influenced by the number of media reports on suicide events. Establishing guidelines for media reporting on these events could help to decrease the suicide rates.

Keyword

Suicide; Celebrity suicide; Media reporting; Media search

MeSH Terms

Korea
Periodicals
Suicide*

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Relationship between the number of celebrity suicides and the annual suicide rate in South Korea using a recognition index.

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  Fig. 2 Annual trends in the number of media reports on suicide.

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  Fig. 3 Monthly trends in the number of daily newspaper reports on suicide and suicide rates. Pearson's correlation coefficient r=0.619, p value<0.001.

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  Fig. 4 Weekly trend in the search frequency for the term "suicide" based on a major internet search engine. The frequency of internet searching using the term 'suicide' was counted on a weekly basis. The maximum number was transformed to a relative value of 100.

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