The debt crisis, austerity measures, and suicide in Greece. (12th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kubrin, Charis E.; Bartos, Bradley J.; McCleary, Richard
• Is Part Of: Social science quarterly. Volume 103:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 140
• Publication Date: 2022-02-12
• Subjects: suicide -- economic downturns -- austerity -- synthetic control; Political science -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Periodicals; 300
• DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.13118
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-4941

Abstract

Abstract: Background: How are economic downturns and suicide related? Objective: This study examines the link between economically driven austerity measures implemented during a recent economic downturn—the Greek debt crisis—and suicide for the population as a whole, as well as for men and women separately. Methods: Utilizing a 50‐nation panel containing annual suicide counts and population demographics for the years 1995–2015 from the World Health Organization's Mortality archive, the analysis employs a synthetic control design, a quasi‐experimental approach that allows us to causally model the relationship between Greece's International Monetary Fund‐imposed austerity measures and suicide, something that has hampered prior research efforts. Results: Findings show austerity policies corresponded with increased suicide rates in Greece for the population as a whole and for men and women. Robustness tests confirm these results. Conclusions: We discuss the implications of the findings for the current economic crisis associated with the COVID‐19 pandemic.