GEOGRAPHICAL AND URBAN RURAL VARIATION IN THE SEASONALITY OF SUICIDE - SOME FURTHER EVIDENCE

The seasonal variation of the suicides (n = 57,007) that occurred in Italy during the years 1969-1984 was evaluated using harmonic analysis, according to the method described by Pocock (1974). Monthly data were analyzed, separately for males and females, taking into account the setting (urban or rural) and the geographical location (Northern, Central or Southern regions). As compared with a previous study by our research group, a more precise (less aggregated) index of the urban-rural continuum was used. Rates for males were greater than those for females; urban were higher than rural rates; the seasonality was greater in the rural than in the urban settings and generally greater in males than in females in the Southern as well as in the Northern regions.