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Walsh, Dermot
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Walsh, Dermot
Official Name
Walsh, Dermot
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Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
- PublicationSome influences on the intercounty variation in Irish psychiatric hospitalization ratesAn examination of the effect of sex and age structure on psychiatric hospitalization rate and its regional variations in Ireland has been carried out. Statistical testing, by regression, of the influence of selected socioeconomic variables on hospitalization rate produced some interesting results. Of most interest was the finding that elderly populations tended to increase hospitalization rate at all age groups. It is hoped to carry this work further using more refined data.
498Scopus© Citations 11 - PublicationSuicide in Dublin : II. the influence of some social and medical factors on coroners' verdictsThis paper presents an analysis of the factors which influence coroners in their decision to classify some deaths as suicides and others as accidental or 'open'. The most important influence on coroners' behaviour was seen to be the manner by which the person died. Those who died by cutting, hanging, drugs or gas were significantly more likely to receive a suicide verdict than those whose deaths were due to drowning, jumping, shooting or poisoning. If the deceased left any intimation of a suicidal intent, this increased the likelihood that a suicide verdict would be returned. Finally, persons aged under 40 were significantly more likely to be returned as suicides than older victims, especially those aged over 70. All of these results show that coroners operate by observing the law as it defines suicide, that is, by looking for evidence of intent of self-inflicted death. Our findings concerning the factors associated with the suicide verdict help to clarify the meaning of the official data on suicides in Ireland, and illuminate the reasons why, using clinical rather than legal criteria, a much higher rate is obtained.
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