Abstract

In this study, we extend the standard economic model of suicide by considering a new influential factor driving the voluntary death rate. Using an international sample, we estimate the model and document a robust and significant inverse relation between stock market returns and the percentage increase in suicide rates. Trends in male and female suicide are affected by market fluctuations, both contemporaneously and at a lag. This predictive quality of stock returns offers the potential to implement pro-active suicide prevention strategies for those who could be affected by the vagaries of the market and general economic downturns.

Year of Publication
2020
Journal
The Journal of Financial Research
URL
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jfir.12224
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfir.12224
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Do Stock Market Fluctuations Affect Suicide Rates?

Associate Professor, Department of Finance

Citation: Do Stock Market Fluctuations Affect Suicide Rates? . The Journal of Financial Research. 2020. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/jfir.12224

In: The Journal of Financial Research

Published by: , 2020

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