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Media Influence on Parasuicide

A Study of the Effects of a Television Drama Portrayal of Paracetamol Self-Poisoning

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Sue Simkin ,
Keith Hawton ,
Linda Whitehead ,
Joan Fagg  and
Matthew Eagle
Sue Simkin
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital
Keith Hawton*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital
Linda Whitehead
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, Oxford Radcliffe Hospital, (John Radcliffe), Oxford OX3 9DU
Joan Fagg
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital
Matthew Eagle
Affiliation:
Department of Statistics, University of Oxford, 1 South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3TG
*
Dr K. Hawton, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford OX3 7JX
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Abstract

Background

Paracetamol self-poisoning, which carries a significant risk of fatal liver damage, is increasing in the UK, especially among adolescents. There is concern that media portrayal of suicidal behaviour may influence its occurrence. We have investigated the effects of two broadcasts of a television drama showing a teenage girl's overdose of paracetamol.

Method

Data from the Oxford Monitoring System for Attempted Suicide were used to examine changes in the number of overdoses and the use of paracetamol in the three week period before and after both broadcasts. An analysis of log-linear models was carried out, using additional data from two previous years, in order to control for the effects of gender, age group, time period, season, year and drug. A questionnaire was used to ascertain whether the programme had influenced patients' decisions to take an overdose or their choice of drug.

Results

An increase in paracetamol overdoses occurred following the first broadcast, but when data from the two previous years were examined and the log-linear analysis was used there was no evidence of significant effects attributable to the broadcasts. The questionnaire study revealed that very few people had seen either episode, and only two claimed that it had influenced them (one in terms of getting help).

Conclusions

It is important to use sound methodology to avoid interpreting chance fluctuations as a media effect. The potential positive benefits of such programmes should also be investigated.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 167 , Issue 6 , December 1995 , pp. 754 - 759
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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