NCJ Number
28667
Journal
British Medical Journal Volume: 1 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1972) Pages: 342-345
Date Published
1972
Length
4 pages
Annotation
REPORT ON A STUDY WHICH INVESTIGATED A HYPOTHESIZED INVERSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE INCIDENCE OF DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXTERNAL AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
THE INCIDENCES OF DEPRESSING ILLNESS IN THE CITY AND A NEIGHBOURING PEACEFUL RURAL COUNTY WERE COMPARED OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS. DATA REGARDING AGE, SEX, AREA OF THE CITY, AND TYPE OF DEPRESSION WERE OBTAINED. THE CITY WAS DIVIDED INTO AREAS AND FOUR OF THESE WERE STUDIED IN DETAIL. SIMILAR DATA WERE OBTAINED FOR PERSONS SHOWING AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOUR. A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE WAS NOTED IN DEPRESSIVE ILLNESS IN BELFAST IN BOTH SEXES AND ALL AGE GROUPS. THIS DECREASE WAS MORE PRONOUNCED IN MALES AND WAS MORE SIGNIFICANT IN RIOT AREAS. THE SUICIDE RATE FELL BY ALMOST 50 PERCENT AND THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN THE RATES OF HOMICIDE AND CRIMES OF VIOLENCE. IN CONTRAST THE RURAL COUNTY SHOWED A SHARP INCREASE IN MALE DEPRESSIVES. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)