Daylight saving time was not associated with a change in suicide rates in Austria, Switzerland and Sweden.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Some studies have reported an increase in suicides after the start of daylight saving time (DST), but the evidence is mixed and more research about proposed mechanisms (disrupted sleep, changing light exposure) is needed.

Methods

In our preregistered study, we analyzed change in suicide rates in the 2 weeks before/after DST, based on data between 1980 and 2022 from Austria, Switzerland and Sweden, using Poisson regression models and changepoint analyses. To explore the impact of disrupted sleep, we repeated the analysis for retired people who are likely less bound to DST, and for younger people. To explore the effect of changed daylight exposure, we repeated the analysis for northern and southern regions because twilight and daylight exposure varies by latitude.

SUBMITTER: Ploderl M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11293815 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature