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William Alex Pridemore, PhD, Davis Center for Russian Studies, Harvard University and Indiana University, 625 Massachusetts Avenue - 2nd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617-496-0472, pridemor@fas.harvard.edu
Russian rates of alcohol consumption and suicide are both among the highest in the world. Until recently, however, Soviet secrecy and falsified data meant researchers were unable to investigate these phenomena. The increasing transparency accompaning the transition to a democratic society in Russia has remedied this situation. Using newly available socioeconomic and mortality data, and controlling for other social structural factors commonly considered to be related to areal variation of suicide rates, OLS regression is employed to investigate the cross-sectional relationship between levels of alcohol consumption and suicide rates in the 89 Russian regions. The analysis reveals a strong and consistent positive relationship between the two. Russian-specific drinking patterns, as well as other structural factors related to the social, political, and economic transition in the country, are discussed as potential reasons for this relationship. We conclude with a statement about the use of Russia as a research laboratory for the impact of widespread social change and the importance of cross-cultural research.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
Keywords: Alcohol Problems, Suicide
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.