The impact of the reunification of Germany on the suicide rate

Abstract

Eastern Europe and Russia comprise a group of nations which have experienced fundamental political, economic and social changes as a consequence of communism's downfall (e.g. Keep, 1995; Stokes, 1993). For example, East Germans have gained political rights including freedom of speech, the right to independent organizations and free democratic elections (Adler, 1996). Further, there is some evidence of greater religious freedom after the fall of communism (Gautier, 1997). However, economic problems have generally worsened after the demise of communism. For example, unemployment rates in East Germany have increased from near zero to 21% for women and 11% for men (Adler, 1996). It is generally assumed that these political and economic changes are associated with an increase in stress levels (Adler, 1996; Cockerham, 1997; Kohn, et al., 1997) and possibly suicide rates (Yang & Lester, 1995).