Country Music and Suicide

According to some research [pdf]:

The results of a multiple regression analysis of 49 metropolitan areas show that the greater the airtime devoted to country music, the greater the white suicide rate. The effect is independent of divorce, southernness, poverty, and gun availability. The existence of a country music subculture is thought to reinforce the link between country music and suicide. Our model explains 51% of the variance in urban white suicide rates.

(via The Frontal Cortex via Yobbo)

6 comments ↓

#1 J on 12.27.07 at 5:01 pm

Reminds me of an old joke:

Q: What happens when you play a country song backwards?
A: You get your car back, You get your wife back, You get your job back, You get your dog back…

#2 Andrew Reynolds on 12.27.07 at 10:50 pm

Can’t get your life back, though.

#3 Shadower on 12.28.07 at 11:18 pm

Why would he want the wife back?

#4 Amjad on 12.31.07 at 9:21 pm

To keep his dog company, of course.

#5 Dont be sad on 01.18.08 at 6:14 pm

Asalaamu alikum,

Curious- I wondered if an association might be stronger with rock music?

Dont be sad

#6 The Road to Surfdom » Blog Archive » Just as I always suspected … on 01.21.08 at 3:00 pm

[…] suicide rates are higher amongst fans of country music. Nice to have it officially confirmed. […]

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