Globalization and Suicide: An Ecological Study Across Five Regions of the World

Abstract

The impact of globalization on health is recognized to be influenced by country and regional-level factors. This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between globalization and suicide in five world regions. An index measure of globalization was developed at the country level over 1980 to 2006. The association between the index and sex specific suicide rates was tested using a fixed-effect regression model. Over time, the globalization index seemed to be associated with increased suicide rates in Asia and the Eastern European/Baltic region. In contrast, it was associated with decreased rates in Scandinavia. There was no significant relationship between globalization and suicide in Southern and Western Europe. The effects of globalization could be determined by specific regional (i.e., cultural and societal) factors. Identification of these mediators might provide opportunities to protect countries from the adverse impacts of globalization.

Keywords:

• asia
• ecological
• Europe
• globalization
• social change
• suicide

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Australian Rotary Health.

Notes

Notes. Coefficients country specific dummies not shown. “Std. Coef” refers to the Standardized Coefficient term; “Std. Err” refers to the robust standard error of the standardised Coefficient term. “G Index” represents the globalization index and “G index^2” represents the quadratic term.

***Represents significance at a 99% level; **Represents significance at a 95% level.

Notes. Coefficients country specific dummies not shown. “Std. Coef” refers to the Standardised Coefficient term; “Std. Err” refers to the robust standard error of the standardized Coefficient term. “G Index” represents the globalization index and “G index^2” represents the quadratic term.

***Represents significance at a 99% level; **Represents significance at a 95% level.