Seasonal Suicide Attempts and Forms of Loneliness

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the relation of two components of loneliness, present and future loneliness, to seasonality of suicide attempts. The 110 subjects were persons who attempted suicide during 1 mo. of a 12-mo. period. Seasonally the maximum frequencies of occurrence were in spring and winter. The mean scale scores for present and future loneliness were greatest for spring and winter, the peak seasons for the timing of suicide attempts. It was speculated that persons may actually postpone acts of attempted suicide in order to participate and become emotionally involved in important annual ceremonies. This would account for the seasonal pattern in attempted suicide and in specific forms of loneliness.